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(WJBK) - If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text to 741-741
CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. Call 1-800-273-TALK for free and confidential emotional support.
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A family tragedy in mid-Michigan leads back to metro Detroit.
An Oakland County woman murdered her two children then took her own life. Now a father is left without his young son and daughter -- just 2 and 3 years old.
We are told their father, Dariel Walker, never saw this coming. He didn't think his children were in any danger.
"Those kids are little angels and I say it all the time," says Kamal Miller, a close family friend.
Those little angels can be seen on home video, 3-year-old Mikayla with her dad and her younger brother, DJ, just 2 years old. They were daddy's little champions before their life was cut short at the hands of their mother, 31-year-old Nikita Landrum, police say.
"It was an absolute and total shock to the family," Miller says. Everyone is still trying to make sense of what happened Tuesday, 100 miles from the children's home in Farmington Hills.
Oakland County woman, 2 children found dead in suspected murder-suicide
Investigators say Landrum put the two children in her Lincoln and drove north to Bay County, where she stopped at an industrial park. She picked a spot off the main road and that's when police say she shot Mikayla and DJ in the head, then turned the gun on herself.
"You can't make sense of it, you can't expect this," Miller says.
Walker and Landrum were separated. Both had custody of the two kids, so he didn't know what happened right away.
Miller was by his side when police delivered the tragic news. They're left with so many questions.
Walker says neither side of the family has any ties to the area where his ex-wife pulled the trigger.
"We have no clue why Bay City comes into play at all," Miller says. "None whatsoever. It's a mystery to all of us."
Walker is now dealing with the biggest mystery of all - why would the children's own mother do this?
"He's holding up as best as he can, as can be expected," Miller said. "I see the inner strength in him."
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for the funeral arrangements for Mikayla and DJ. If you'd like to make a donation to the family, you can do so online here.
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If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text to 741-741
CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. Call 1-800-273-TALK for free and confidential emotional support.