Representative Image (IANS Photo)

A Minnesota man, who earlier appeared increasingly concerned about the prospect of a Trump-led government, took the lives of his wife, former partner, and two sons before ending his own life.
On Thursday afternoon, authorities discovered Anthony Nephew, 46, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his residence on West 6th Street in Duluth, Minnesota, Daily Mail reported.
In a concerning revelation, Nephew had previously discussed the mental health crisis in America three years ago, stating that ‘breakdowns lead to suicide – or homicide before suicide.’
The bodies of his wife Kathryn Ramsland, 45, and their seven-year-old son Oliver were discovered with gunshot wounds in their shared residence.
The police responded to a welfare check at approximately 2pm, where they found Nephew’s former partner, Erin Abramson, 47, and her 15-year-old son Jacob Nephew, both deceased from multiple gunshot wounds.
Before the incident, the step-family appeared harmonious. Kathryn, known as Kat, frequently shared positive social media posts about Erin, praising her baking skills and sharing videos of Oliver requesting her baked goods.
Neighbors remembered Oliver fondly, with one stating, ‘He was such a sweet little boy.’
In recent months, Nephew’s social media activity showed concerning behavior, including discussions about extraterrestrial life and unusual cosmic theories. He has expressed significant anxiety about political developments and religious extremism.
His July post revealed deep concerns: ‘My mental health and the world can no longer peacefully coexist, and a lot of the reason is religion. I am terrified of religious zealots inflicting their misguided beliefs on me and my family. ‘I have intrusive thoughts of being burned at the stake as a witch, or crucified on a burning cross.’
Nephew had previously addressed mental health issues publicly, identifying himself as a suicide ‘survivor’ in 2022 and contributing to the Duluth News Tribune about mental healthcare importance.
The Duluth Police Department issued a statement confirming no ongoing threat to the community and expressing condolences to the victims’ families.