North Sound News

Police: Father killed wife, young son in Bellingham murder-suicide

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham police said Tuesday that the deaths of two adults and a boy inside a home in the Cordata neighborhood was a murder-suicide.

Officers say they found the three bodies inside a home in the 500 block of Spring Vista Place late Monday afternoon when a concerned neighbor asked them to check the welfare of the people inside.

Bellingham police told KIRO 7 detectives spent hours inside and outside the house using a high-tech 3-D laser scanner that can measure and photograph every inch of a homicide scene in hopes of finding out how and when the people died.

Eight hours after the bodies were discovered, detectives sealed off the garage of the home with a plastic tarp.

Police say the deceased were identified as 43-year-old Tanya Rowe, 5-year-old Benton Rowe, and 45-year-old Kevin Rowe.

Investigators said Kevin Rowe killed his wife and son. The coroner said the Benton and Tanya Rowe died following sharp force injuries to their necks. A large kitchen knife is believed to be the weapon used by Kevin Rowe.

Kevin Rowe took his own life by putting a bag over his head.

Authorities say Tanya Rowe was employed by the Bellingham School District.

Investigators have not said which adult was responsible for the deaths and that few details will be released until the investigation is completed.

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