Kerry woman found dead in US with husband and teenage sons

Bodies found in house in Reno in apparent murder-suicide

An Irish woman who died in a suspected murder-suicide incident in the US city of Reno, Nevada, has been named as Joan Huber.

Police discovered the bodies of a couple and their two teenage boys on Wednesday morning after they were alerted by neighbours who said they had not seen the family in days.

All four died of gunshot wounds, according to a local media report.

Ms Huber (nee Kelly) was originally from Coolcuslaugh near Killarney, Co Kerry, and is the eldest of five children of the late John Kelly, a well-known figure in east Kerry.

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Mr Kelly was a former president of the East Kerry GAA and a psychiatric nurse, and he died in February 2018 at 83. He was at one time a general election candidate for the Progressive Democrats and the author of a number of local histories.

Mrs Huber’s mother, Sheila, (nee Doolan) and a number of her siblings live in Killarney.

Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae said he knew the family. “I know them to be a good, hardworking honest family and pillars in the community and the type of people you would like to be friends with,” he told Radio Kerry.

“It’s so tough and so hard. It’s very hard to understand why these things happen.”

The body of Ms Huber (53) was found alongside her husband, Adam P Huber (50), and teenage sons Adam J Huber (17) and Michael P Huber (16). The Washoe County medical examiner release the family's identities on Thursday.

It was reported Adam P Huber had worked as a master technician at the Reno Buick GMC car dealership since 2006 .

Reno director of marketing Doreen Hicks stated: "Adam Huber has worked for Reno Buick GMC since 2006. He has always been a valued member of our team. We mourn the loss of him and his family. At this point we are assisting the police with their investigation and we cannot comment further at this time."

Officers said the weapon and cause of death were initially unknown. The City of Reno police said on Wednesday that at about 11.04am officers responded to a report of a deceased person.

“Subsequent investigation revealed three other deceased subjects within the residence that are believed to be members of the same family who reside there. This appears to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community.”

The two teenage boys were pupils at Damonte Ranch High School in Nevada.

School principal Darvel Bell said: "Two of our students died following a domestic situation in their home. Reno Police are investigating the case, and because this is an active investigation, I am not able to share any more details with you now.

“Our counsellors, district level crisis team, and community partners will be on our campus tomorrow and will be providing any resources our students and staff members require.

“They will stay with us for as long as we need them. Counselling and emotional support of staff and students will be our top priority.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to the Irish family of the woman who died along with three others.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter and cohost of the In the News podcast