In the quiet town of Clarence, New York, a devastating series of events unfolded on October 6, 2022, ending the life of 37-year-old Mary Beth Bergum. A dedicated registered nurse and mother of four, Mary Beth was shot and killed by her husband, Erik Bergum, in their family home. The tragedy did not end there, as Erik then proceeded to take the lives of his own parents before ending his own life.
The violent rampage left the community in shock and four children orphaned.
The day's horrific timeline began to surface after authorities were alerted to a shooting at the Ten-X Shooting Club in Newstead. There, they discovered the bodies of 66-year-old Mark Bergum and his son, 43-year-old Erik Bergum. The investigation quickly led them to two other locations in Clarence. In one home, they found Erik's mother, 64-year-old Nancy Bergum, also deceased from a gunshot wound. The final and most heart-wrenching discovery was at the Bergum family residence, where Mary Beth had been fatally shot.
Investigators determined that Erik Bergum was the sole perpetrator of the killings, which were classified as a murder-suicide. A note left by Erik in his vehicle provided a chilling, albeit partially illegible, timeline of the murders. The motive behind the horrific acts remained unclear to law enforcement. According to the Erie County Sheriff's Office, there was no prior indication of domestic trouble that would have foreshadowed such a violent outburst. The community was left to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss of a family.
Mary Beth Bergum was remembered by friends and colleagues as a compassionate and dedicated nurse who had a positive impact on those she cared for and worked with. Her primary focus in life was her four children, for whom she was a devoted and loving mother. In the wake of the tragedy, the community rallied to support the Bergum children, who were at school when the devastating events transpired. Various funds and support systems were established to help them navigate the immense loss of their parents and grandparents.
