Jason Jase Thomas Ireland, a 4-year-old boy from Vanceboro, NC, tragically lost his life on January 24, 2020. Jason, along with his mother April Ireland, 26, and his siblings Bryson, 3, and Caroline, 8 months, were victims of a murder-suicide carried out by Michael Ireland, the father and husband of the family. The incident occurred in their home on Kinsaw Court, where the bodies were discovered by deputies conducting a welfare check after family members reported not hearing from them since Wednesday.
The Craven County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Michael Ireland, 39, shot and killed his wife, their three children, and the family dog before taking his own life. The bodies of April and Caroline were found on a living room couch, while Jason and Bryson were found on another couch in the same room. Michael Ireland and the dog were found in the master bedroom. All victims died from a single gunshot wound.
Sheriff Chip Hughes described the crime scene as one of the most horrific he had ever encountered. There were no signs of a struggle or a suicide note, and it remains unclear how Michael Ireland obtained the gun used in the murder-suicide. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation. The family had previously been visited by deputies in 2015, but there were no recent indications of trouble.
The community was deeply affected by the tragedy, and a funeral service was held for April and her children at Spring Garden Baptist Church. The family was laid to rest at Sand Hill Cemetery in Reelsboro. The incident left a lasting impact on the small neighborhood, where the Ireland family was not particularly social with their neighbors.
