Maria Santos, an 18-year-old female of Hispanic ethnicity from Allentown, PA, tragically lost her life on May 13, 2017. The incident was determined to be a murder-suicide. Maria's father, 60-year-old Jose Santos, shot her before taking his own life. The Lehigh County coroner's office pronounced both deceased just after 3 a.m. that morning due to gunshot wounds.
Authorities were alerted by a relative who called 911 around 1:45 a.m. after hearing gunshots and fleeing the home.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of Maria and her father. The coroner's office ruled Maria's death a homicide and Jose's death a suicide. Jose left a note confirming his actions, but it did not provide a clear motive.
The Allentown police, along with the Lehigh County coroner's office and county prosecutors, conducted an investigation into the incident. However, no additional suspects were identified, and no further arrests were made as the case was concluded with the determination of murder-suicide.
This tragic event shook the local community and highlighted the importance of mental health awareness and support for families dealing with crises.
