Anti-Trump American kills wife, ex-partner, 2 kids, takes own life over election
The United States authorities have disclosed that Anthony Nephew, who had posted anti-Trump and left-wing sentiments online, killed four relatives before taking his own life following the outcome of the presidential election.
In a tragic incident that sent shock waves across the Minnesota community, Nephew shot dead his wife, former partner, and two sons, Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa confirmed.
Authorities said the 46-year-old shooter had struggled with mental health issues over a period of time.
The bodies of the five individuals were discovered in two separate homes located in Duluth last Thursday.
Initially, Nephew’s ex-partner, Erin Abramson, 47, and their son, Jacob Nephew, 15, were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds inside their residence.
Upon identifying Anthony Nephew as a suspect, police subsequently located his current wife, 45-year-old Kathryn Nephew and their 7-year-old son, Oliver Nephew, in a nearby home, both of whom had also been fatally shot.
Police added that Nephew was also found in the same apartment, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Nephew expressed anti-Trump sentiments online
A check on his social media footprints showed that Nephew had shared political and personal grievances, particularly against Donald Trump. At the same time, he also expressed concerns about religious extremism and political issues.
In a post on his Facebook in July, the deceased expressed distress, writing, “My mental health and the world can no longer peacefully coexist, and a lot of the reason is religion. I am terrified of religious zealots inflicting their misguided beliefs on me and my family. I have intrusive thoughts of being burned at the stake as a witch, or crucified on a burning cross.”
“Having people actually believe that I or my child are Satan or, the anti-Christ or whatever their favourite colour of boogie man they are afraid of this week,” he said in another post where he voiced fear that people viewed him or his family as a symbol of evil.
In another online post, Nephew took aim at Republicans, accusing them of complicating efforts for women in abusive relationships to leave.
He wrote “Gilead here we come,” referencing The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian novel that portrays a society where women are stripped of their rights.
His other political posts included a graphic with former President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris alongside former President Trump, with “hate” labelled under Trump’s image and “hope,” “heal,” and “grow” under the Democratic politicians.
Nephew commented, “Not that anyone cares, but as an Independent voter, I would really like to see both the political parties in our country pick better candidates. We can do better than a binary choice between fascism and not fascism.”
The deceased authored an op-ed in the Duluth News Tribune in 2021, where he discussed the impact of untreated mental health issues on individuals across the country. “For millions of Americans, a breakdown leads to suicide — or homicide before suicide,” he wrote.
“Mental health in this country is stigmatized, ignored, or treated as a burden for the individual to bear alone, with little help and less understanding. Americans deny they have mental health struggles. Because they have to, because they’re told to, or because they don’t realize their mind is broken,” he added.
Duluth police said the investigation was still ongoing to determine a definitive motive in the shootings.
Meanwhile, authorities assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to nearly 90,000 residents of Duluth, a city approximately 135 miles north of Minneapolis.
