A sense of dread hung over a Wilkes-Barre neighborhood on a cold November day in 2016, a feeling that would soon crystallize into a devastating reality for the family of 3-year-old Alexander 'Xander' Thompson. The young boy, a male with a love for cars that numbered over 400 in his collection, found his life tragically cut short in a final, violent act that also claimed the lives of his parents.
The heartbreaking series of events began to unfold in the driveway of a Wilkes-Barre apartment building. There, Xander’s mother, 21-year-old Sharae Thompson, was found shot and killed inside her Jeep. She was a young mother described as devoted to her son, spending her time loving, teaching, and watching him grow. Friends and family were left in a state of shock, a painful vigil of hope for Xander’s safety quickly turning to despair as the full scope of the tragedy was revealed.
The suspect in Sharae's murder was her ex-boyfriend and Xander's father, 23-year-old Zackary Yashkus. After killing Sharae, he fled with their young son. The search for Xander came to a grim conclusion in nearby Pittston Township. Authorities discovered Yashkus's vehicle parked on the median of Interstate 81. Inside, they found the father and son. Yashkus had fatally shot his son, who was still in his car seat, before turning the gun on himself. Yashkus was pronounced dead at the scene, while little Xander was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators and friends of the couple pointed to a history of domestic abuse, with some expressing that they had long worried about Yashkus's behavior towards Sharae. The motive for the horrific murder-suicide was not officially released, but the events left a community to grapple with the loss of a young mother and her innocent child, a boy who loved beaches, aquariums, and car shows. In the end, there were no arrests to be made, as the perpetrator had taken his own life, leaving behind a wake of sorrow and unanswered questions.
