MADISON, IN – New details have emerged about the tragic incident in southern Indiana, where four bodies were discovered inside a burning home. Authorities have confirmed that all the deceased had been shot. This update was shared by Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, a spokesperson for the Indiana State Police, in a news release on Wednesday. He also identified the victims, believed to be three children and their mother.
Investigators revealed that the deceased victims are 35-year-old Naomi Briner, 12-year-old Adelia Briner, 8-year-old Leland Briner, and 6-year-old Iyla Briner. Despite the ongoing investigation into the tragedy, authorities assured there is no threat to the public.
According to Wheeles, local first responders rushed to a house near Madison near the Ohio River, following a call on Tuesday afternoon. Upon arrival, they discovered the house in flames and found four bodies inside. The fire was eventually extinguished, but all four victims were confirmed dead at the scene.
Originally, the authorities withheld the identities of the victims until they could be properly identified by the coroner’s office in Jefferson County. In order to determine the exact cause of death, autopsies were scheduled to take place in Hamilton County, Ohio, approximately 80 miles from Jefferson County.
While the autopsy results haven’t been shared publicly, it has been revealed that “all four of the deceased had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds at the time they were located inside of the residence,” Wheeles reported in his latest update.