On the evening of May 22, 2026, a devastating tragedy unfolded inside a home in Thornton, Colorado, leaving a family and community in profound grief. A concerned family member contacted the Thornton Police Department around 8 p.m. after being unable to get a response from the residents of a home in the 13900 block of Harrison Street. Responding officers made a grim discovery upon entering the residence, finding four individuals deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were identified as 49-year-old female May Gnia Nelimark, her 53-year-old husband David Robert Nelimark, and their 13-year-old son, Asher Kieth Kub Nelimark.
The investigation into the horrific event quickly pointed towards a triple homicide and suicide. Law enforcement officials identified the fourth deceased individual as 33-year-old Joey King Vue. Detectives believe that Vue, a family member, fatally shot May, David, and Asher before taking his own life. The motive behind the violent act has not been publicly released, and the specific relationship between Vue and the Nelimark family was not immediately detailed, other than that he was a relative. News of the deaths sent shockwaves through the local community, with many expressing their sorrow and disbelief at the loss of a beloved family.
In the wake of the tragedy, an outpouring of support emerged for the Nelimark's surviving son, 19-year-old Anze. Community members, including many from the local hockey community where the family was active, organized fundraisers and a candlelight vigil to honor the memories of May, David, and Asher and to provide financial and emotional support for Anze as he navigates life without his parents and younger brother. The incident left a lasting scar on the community, serving as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence. The case was determined to be a murder-suicide, and as the perpetrator was deceased, there were no arrests or subsequent criminal proceedings.
