WINSTON-SALEM, NC – A chilling murder-suicide in Winston-Salem has claimed the lives of two young siblings. Police were called to a residence on Water Lily Circle in the early morning hours of Tuesday, where they found the bodies of David Lee Housden, 55, and his children, Alexander David Housden, 20, and Kaylee Nicole Housden, 16, all with gunshot wounds.
According to Police Chief William Penn, initial investigations suggest that Housden shot his children before turning the gun on himself. Police are still figuring out what led to Housden to kill his children.
According to police, the siblings’ mother was inside the home on Water Lily Lane when the shootings occurred. The mother was the one who alerted the authorities to the horrifying incident by calling 911.
Around 3:30 a.m., police arrived at the scene to find Alexander and Kaylee dead from gunshot wounds. After shooting both children, David killed himself, police said.
Alexander majored in exercise science and minored in biology at Winston-Salem State University. Kaylee was a junior at Atkins High School, a member of the Color Guard who was fond of swimming and walking with her best friend, according to her friends on Facebook.
In the wake of the tragedy, Atkins High School, where Kaylee was a student, has ramped up its support mechanisms. A crisis team has been activated, and counseling services are being offered, Superintendent Tricia McManus confirmed. Alexander was a student at Winston-Salem State University.
This grim incident is the second murder-suicide to rock Winston-Salem this year. The first, in April, saw Ethel Steele allegedly kill her three children before taking her own life. The community is still reeling from these shocking events.
The city has reported a worrying increase in homicides this year, with 44 cases, including the Housden siblings. This marks a significant rise from the 33 cases recorded over the same period in 2022.
As a result of the growing crisis, Andy Nagler, the Mental Health Association’s Executive Director in Forsyth County, has stressed that his organization stands ready to provide mental health support to anyone in need, regardless of their financial situation or insurance coverage.