LOUISVILLE, Ky. — New findings revealed that an Indiana mother shot and killed her three children before the house caught on fire.
Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter released his findings of a December 2023 death investigation that happened on Telegraph Hill Road in rural Jefferson County, Indiana.
On Dec. 12, shortly after 4 p.m., first responders arrived to the 1600 block of East Telegraph Road and found a house, located just outside of Madison, Ind., on fire.
After battling the flames, firefighters found the bodies of Naomi Briner, 35, Adelia Briner, 12, Leland Briner, 8, and Iyla Briner, 6. Naomi was the mother of the three young victims.
Despite life saving measures, all four people were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to a news release, they were all transported to Hamilton County, Ohio where autopsies were performed by a forensic pathologist.
Based on the results of the autopsies and the evidence in this case, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Officer ruled the manner of death of the three children to be homicide. Authorities said the autopsy reports showed that all three children sustained gunshot wounds, which were contributing factors in their deaths. The coroner’s office listed the manner and cause of death of Naomi to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"This was a tragic case that has been heartbreaking for the community and all who have been involved in this investigation. My heart goes out to the involved families for the tragedy that they have endured," Sutter said. "I commend the Indiana State Police Detectives and the other agencies that have assisted in this case. At this time, I am not requesting that investigators pursue any additional leads in this case.”
Investigators from the Indiana State Police worked with the Indiana Fire Marshal’s Office, Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Madison Police Department throughout this investigation.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
