Police said the couple had three young children and were in the process of a divorce.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL — A 6-year-old child came home from school Monday and found both parents dead inside a Port St. Lucie home in what police described as an apparent murder-suicide.
Police identified the parents as Jimsley Estime, 31, and Ketsy Alexis, 30. Officers found them with apparent gunshot wounds after responding about 5:30 p.m. to a report of gunshot victims in the 2700 block of Southwest Ensenada Terrace. Investigators said the couple’s two younger children, ages 1 and 2, were inside the home when the shooting happened.
The case drew attention across the Treasure Coast because of the children’s presence and because police said the couple had a documented domestic history. Detectives said Estime and Alexis had been married about seven years and were going through a divorce. “Preliminary findings indicate the divorce proceedings may have stemmed from allegations of infidelity,” police said in a statement, adding that the matter also involved an individual who lived outside the county.
Police said the oldest child returned home from school and found the two younger children upset inside the residence. The child then found both parents dead in the kitchen area, investigators said. Police said the child contacted a family member for help, and that family member called 911. Officers arrived soon after and secured the home while detectives began processing the scene. A firearm was recovered as part of the investigation, police said. Authorities did not release the exact time of the shooting or say whether neighbors reported hearing gunfire before officers arrived.
Investigators said the deaths appear to be isolated, but the investigation remained active Tuesday. Police did not identify which person they believe fired the fatal shots in the public statements released so far. They also did not release details about the children’s condition after officers arrived or where the children were taken after the scene was secured. The case is being handled as a death investigation, with detectives processing evidence, reviewing the couple’s history and conducting interviews. Police said both adults were found inside the home when officers entered.
Records described by police show there had been prior domestic-related incidents involving the couple. One earlier Port St. Lucie Police Department investigation involved alleged written threats to kill. Police said a warrant was issued for Estime, and he was arrested Jan. 26. After the arrest, Alexis submitted a non-prosecution affidavit on Feb. 5 asking that the charges be dismissed and stating that she did not want to testify or pursue the case. Police said the earlier case was later dismissed. The new investigation began about three months after that affidavit was filed.
Neighbors described the family as familiar in the area and reacted with shock after seeing police outside the home. “They were a beautiful family, beautiful,” a neighbor identified as Irma told a local television station. “Just something happened between wife and husband.” Another neighbor, Pamela, said the children were the focus of the community’s concern. “We pray for the family,” she said. “We pray for the family and for the children.” Photos from the scene showed a large police response outside the Southwest Ensenada Terrace home Monday afternoon.
The deaths also prompted local domestic violence advocates to speak about the risks that can rise during separations and divorce cases. Nina Batista, a licensed clinical social worker, said victims sometimes refuse to move forward with prosecution because of fear, pressure or emotional ties. “The terror floods them to the fact that they don’t feel like they can go anywhere,” Batista said. Pam O’Brien, president and CEO of Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, said some survivors need several attempts before a relationship ends for good. Police did not say whether Alexis had contacted any advocacy group before her death.
No criminal charges were pending in the new case as of Tuesday because both adults were dead. Detectives continued to process evidence from the house and interview people connected to the couple. The next formal updates are expected to come from Port St. Lucie police as the agency reviews the firearm, prior reports, witness accounts and records tied to the divorce.
Author note: Last updated May 13, 2026.