On January 10, 2019, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distressing scene in Willits, California, where they discovered the bodies of three individuals in a home on Hearst Willits Road. Among the deceased was eight-year-old Damian Michael Wilkins. The investigation revealed that Damian, along with his mother, Krissy Lynn Orbon, and his father, Michael David Wilkins, were victims of a tragic murder-suicide.
Michael Wilkins, aged 49, was identified as the perpetrator who fatally shot Krissy and Damian before turning the gun on himself. The firearm used in the incident was reported to have been stolen from a neighbor's home.
The discovery of the bodies was initiated by a concerned neighbor who, upon seeing blood through a window, called 911. Deputies arrived at the scene and, after receiving no response at the door, entered the home to find the gruesome evidence of the crime. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that there had been no prior domestic violence calls involving the family, and the relationship between Krissy and Michael was described as romantic, with them being the biological parents of Damian.
Further details emerged about the family's troubled history. Reports indicated that Michael Wilkins had exhibited abusive and controlling behavior towards Krissy. Friends and family members recounted instances of the family living in their car and Michael's violent actions, such as smashing Krissy's windshield. Despite these troubling signs, there were no previous legal actions or domestic violence reports filed against Michael.
The investigation concluded that the incident was a murder-suicide, with no other suspects involved. Autopsies were scheduled to be conducted on January 15, 2019, to confirm the cause of death for all three individuals. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office urged anyone with additional information to contact their tip line, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in such tragic cases.
This heartbreaking event left the community of Willits in shock, mourning the loss of a young boy and his mother, and grappling with the senseless violence that led to their deaths. The case serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of vigilance and support for those in vulnerable situations.
