Police: Deaths of 12-year-old girl and her mother appear to be homicide-suicide

Police believe a woman and her 12-year-old daughter died in a murder-suicide, with both bodies being found after a fire at their home in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County.The coroner has identified the victims as Jazmyn Keller, 12, and Melanie Keller, 48.Neshannock police said the house on Old Plank Road was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived shortly after 8:45 a.m. Thursday. The Kellers were later found dead inside.Police said the girl and her mother had both been shot in the head, and that Melanie Keller's gunshot wound appeared to be self-inflicted."An autopsy revealed that neither party was alive when the fire consumed the residence," police said in a written statement. "The fire is suspicious in nature and probably started prior to the suicide."The statement also said, "It was learned that the mother recently purchased a handgun and ammo which was located near where her body was found."Police said they were not pursuing charges against anyone.

Police believe a woman and her 12-year-old daughter died in a murder-suicide, with both bodies being found after a fire at their home in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County.


The coroner has identified the victims as Jazmyn Keller, 12, and Melanie Keller, 48.

Neshannock police said the house on Old Plank Road was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived shortly after 8:45 a.m. Thursday. The Kellers were later found dead inside.

Police said the girl and her mother had both been shot in the head, and that Melanie Keller's gunshot wound appeared to be self-inflicted.



"An autopsy revealed that neither party was alive when the fire consumed the residence," police said in a written statement. "The fire is suspicious in nature and probably started prior to the suicide."

The statement also said, "It was learned that the mother recently purchased a handgun and ammo which was located near where her body was found."



Police said they were not pursuing charges against anyone.