Gretchen Presnar, a 39-year-old woman from Homestead, Florida, tragically lost her life on December 16, 2018, in a horrific incident that has been classified as a triple murder-suicide. Gretchen, along with her 7-year-old son John Jr., was shot and killed by her husband, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer John Stanley Presnar. The incident occurred during the early morning hours at their home in Homestead, following a heated argument between Gretchen and John.
The couple's 8-year-old daughter, McKenna Presnar, was also critically injured in the shooting and succumbed to her injuries on Christmas Day, December 25, 2018.
John Stanley Presnar, 44, who had served in the Coast Guard since 2001 as an electronics technician, turned the gun on himself after shooting his family. The Miami-Dade Police Department responded to the scene after Gretchen's mother, who was present during the incident, managed to escape and call for help. Upon arrival, the police found the bodies of Gretchen, John Jr., and John Stanley Presnar, along with the severely injured McKenna.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was a result of domestic violence, a tragic culmination of an argument that escalated beyond control. Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez expressed deep sorrow over the incident, highlighting the devastating impact on the community and the importance of raising awareness about domestic violence. The Coast Guard also released a statement mourning the loss of their serviceman and his family, acknowledging the tragic nature of the event.
There were no arrests made as the perpetrator, John Stanley Presnar, died at the scene. The case was closed as a murder-suicide, with no further suspects or litigations arising from the incident. The community of Homestead was left in shock and mourning, grappling with the loss of Gretchen Presnar, a 39-year-old woman, her young son, and the subsequent death of her daughter.
