The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has identified the mother and two children who were killed in a Thursday, Feb. 26, murder-suicide in Lakewood Ranch.
Deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. to a residence in the 8200 block of Pavia Way in the Lake Club — an upscale gated community in Lakewood Ranch — for a welfare check requested by the children’s father, who was out of the country in South America.
When deputies arrived, they found Josh James, 14, and Emma James, 11, dead in separate rooms and their mother, Monika Rubacha, 44, also deceased. Officials said they encountered what appeared to be a violent murder scene.
What is known about the timeline of the Lakewood Ranch deaths?
Authorities are working to establish the timeline of the deaths. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Randy Warren said a preliminary investigation suggests that Josh James may have died earlier than his sister and mother.
Investigators say the family moved to the community three years ago from Missouri, and no prior calls for service had been made to the home. While detectives are still examining what led to the deaths, Warren said evidence indicates some level of planning and that the mother “knew what she was doing.”
The case remains active as detectives continue to process the scene and review the evidence.
The medical examiner will determine the official causes and manner of death.
Authorities say updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Melissa Pérez-Carrillo covers breaking news and public safety for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Reach out at mperezcarrillo@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Lakewood Ranch mother, 2 children identified in murder-suicide
Reporting by Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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