On a cold winter day in Rutland, Vermont, the quiet life of 31-year-old June Oles Bishop, a Caucasian female, came to a tragic and violent end. On February 18, 1985, she and her two young children, 7-year-old Dawn and 5-year-old Matthew, were found deceased in their home. The cause of their deaths was determined to be gunshot wounds.
The events of that day unfolded as a devastating murder-suicide orchestrated by June's estranged husband, Donald Alan Bishop.
Distraught over their recent separation, Donald had expressed a desperate and chilling sentiment. A note he left behind revealed a possessive and tragic motive, stating that if he could not have his children, no one could.
Further investigation into the tragedy suggested a grim and peaceful passing for the victims, as there were no signs of a struggle. It is believed that June, Dawn, and Matthew were shot while they were in bed. Prior to the incident, Donald had reached out to a mental health crisis line, indicating his growing despondency over the fracturing of his family. The horrific event sent shockwaves through the Rutland community, leaving behind a legacy of loss and a stark reminder of the destructive power of domestic turmoil. The case was closed with the identification of Donald Bishop as the perpetrator, who also took his own life at the scene.
