In the summer of 2016, a quiet street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, became the scene of a tragic event that cut short the life of a young woman. On the afternoon of July 3rd, 23-year-old Elizabeth Thompkins, a White/Caucasian female, was found deceased in her Central Avenue home. Her life was taken in a violent act that stunned those who knew the seemingly tranquil couple.
A relative discovered the grim scene at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Inside the residence, law enforcement found Elizabeth Thompkins with a fatal gunshot wound to her head. Alongside her was her 37-year-old boyfriend, Christopher Pickering, who also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A 9-mm handgun was found resting on his chest, leading investigators to conclude the incident was a murder-suicide.
Neighbors expressed their shock and disbelief to reporters, describing the couple as quiet and happy. They were often seen together, and there were no outward signs of the turmoil that was to come. Pickering, a father of four from previous relationships who worked for a waste management company, was described by one neighbor as being devoted to his children, which made the violent outcome all the more difficult to comprehend. Another neighbor recalled rarely seeing Thompkins, but described her as being as quiet as Pickering.
The New York Police Department investigated the deaths, and the case was quickly determined to be a murder-suicide. As Christopher Pickering was identified as the perpetrator, there were no further suspects sought in connection with the death of Elizabeth Thompkins, and no arrests were made. The investigation was closed, leaving a community to mourn and grapple with the sudden and tragic loss of a young life.
