Our readers are probably aware unaddressed domestic violence can sometimes lead to extreme behaviors. While the coincidence of domestic violence and homicide has decreased overall since the late 70s according to FBI statistics, it still does occur.

Earlier this month, a Washougal man, according to police, shot both his wife and sister-in-law before setting their home on fire and killing himself. The murder-suicide, which was similar to one that took place in Vancouver seven months before, was apparently preceded by a domestic violence arrest and diagnosis of mental disorder, as well as financial and familial stress.

The man apparently worked in the landscaping business and had been having difficulties with brining in sufficient income. He had also apparently been experiencing marital troubles, which were made worse by his wife's identical twin sister, who had been around more prior to the incident.

Interestingly, many of the man's neighbors didn't see the violent outburst coming. Sources did say, though, he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1994 following a domestic violence arrest and was apparently accused of sexual assault shortly before the incident. He was also known by close friends for his white supremacist views. Unknown to his close friends was his struggles with alcohol.

Investigators believe the murder-suicide was planned out well in advance, as the man apparently placed his wallet and a GPS tracker in the truck of a close friend. Over the summer the man reportedly attempted to give his landscaping business to that friend, saying he would be "done" with it by the first of the year.

The Vancouver murder-suicide earlier this year occurred on April 24, and sources say that it was Vancouver's deadliest fire in the last 50 years. The man responsible in that incident apparently faced a looming divorce and an impending bankruptcy. Five of his six children died in the fire.

Fortunately, experts say these types of incidents should not be viewed as an emerging trend in Clark County. Still, stories like these are always tragic, especially when there are innocent family members that get caught up in the violence.

Source: Columbian, "Many questions, few answers in Washougal murder-suicide," Zachary Kaufman, December 14, 2011.