Sand Springs Community, Family Mourns After 3 Killed In Suspected Murder-Suicide

People in the Sand Springs community are mourning the loss of two children and their mother in a suspected murder-suicide.

Sand Springs police said a man killed his girlfriend and their two young daughters this weekend.

The family said they are in complete shock and heartbroken over what happened and they’re asking for help from the community.

Related Story: Sand Springs Police Identify Victims, Suspect In Triple Murder-Suicide

Shelli Bunn said she has no idea what came over her cousin Phillip Ross over the weekend.

Sand Springs Police say Ross killed his girlfriend Stacey Smith and both of their young daughters, four-year-old River and two-year-old Piper. Investigators said Ross then killed himself.

Bunn said she's close to Ross's mother Debbi, who was the one to walk into the home and discover all four of them dead on Saturday.

She said Debbi thought it was a horrible, sick joke - but quickly realized it wasn't.

Now, the family is asking for prayers and support as they plan to bury them and pay for a funeral.

They're also remembering the little girls.

"My message is to hold your loved ones close as possible. Just let them know they're loved every day and let them be aware, and don't be afraid to talk to them," Bunn said.

Smith was an employee of Rib Crib. A vigil will be held Wednesday night at 5 p.m. at the restaurant in Sand Springs.