Le Mars police now says a failing marriage is likely what led to a triple-murder suicide last week. Police found the bodies of 38-year-old Timothy Hayden, his daughter Lyndsay, son Shawn and his wife 37-year-old wife Marilyn Hayden in their home last Wednesday.
Police say Tim Hayden left a note saying he did not want his kids to have to deal with his suicide. Investigators were not able to determine in what order the family died except that Tim Hayden was the last to die. The suspected murder weapon, a shotgun, was found next to Tim Hayden’s body.
Police believe the shootings took place in the early morning hours. Police say the body of Marilyn Hayden was found in the garage, 15-year-old Lyndsay was in a bathroom next to her bedroom, 17-year-old Shawn was in his bedroom and Tim Hayden was in a separate bedroom in the basement. The Hayden home has now been turned back over to family members.