On November 7, 2024, authorities in Duluth, Minnesota uncovered a gruesome scene: five individuals found dead across two separate homes. The victims included two children, aged seven and 15, in a tragic event police have classified as a quadruple murder-suicide.
Police were first alerted to the situation when Erin Abramson, 47, did not report to work, prompting a worried coworker to call for a welfare check. Officers responded to Abramson’s Tacony Street home, where they found her and her 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew, dead from gunshot wounds. Police discovered the tragic scene upon arrival.
After the initial grim discovery, Anthony Nephew, 46, was identified as a person of interest and his residence was placed under surveillance. Upon entering the home, law enforcement officers uncovered the bodies of Kathryn Nephew (Ramsland), 45, their seven-year-old son, Oliver Nephew, and Anthony Nephew himself, the latter dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The evidence led investigators to conclude that Anthony Nephew had killed his family before ending his own life.
According to Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa, Anthony Nephew had a history of mental health issues that had triggered several previous police interactions at his home.
Nephew’s social media activity, particularly on Facebook, revealed his political leanings and his struggles with mental health. He frequently posted anti-Trump and left-leaning content. In a July post, he stated his mental health was at odds with the world, attributing much of his strain to religious beliefs. He expressed fears of being targeted by religious extremists and even shared intrusive thoughts about being persecuted.
In another post, Nephew criticized the Republican party, accusing them of making it challenging for women to escape abusive situations. He made references to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian series where women are oppressed and denied basic rights.
Nephew also shared political images featuring Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. He associated Trump with “hate,” while attributing “hope,” “heal,” and “grow” to the Democratic leaders. As an Independent voter, he expressed disappointment with the available candidates from both parties, criticizing what he perceived as a choice between fascism and its opposition.
In an op-ed for a local newspaper, Nephew warned about his mental health problems, stating that breakdowns could lead to suicide or homicide. He criticized the U.S. mental health system for stigmatizing and neglecting individuals, forcing them to cope alone with little support or understanding. He noted that societal pressures often lead many Americans to deny or hide their mental health struggles.
Investigators verified that Nephew and Abramson had been in a previous relationship and shared a child, further deepening the impact of the tragedy on the family and the community.
In the wake of the tragedy, local schools in the Duluth area have provided crisis resources to students affected by the incident.
The Duluth Police Department is still investigating the incident to establish a comprehensive timeline and to determine if any potential intervention opportunities were missed. Chief Ceynowa stated that cell phone data and other records are being used to reconstruct the events leading up to the tragedy, although a definitive motive has not been disclosed.
