In a quiet neighborhood in Surprise, Arizona, a weekend visit turned into an unthinkable tragedy. Seven-year-old Alec Mater, a young boy, was spending time with his father, 34-year-old Brock Mater, as part of a custody arrangement following his parents' divorce. The weekend, however, ended in a devastating murder-suicide that claimed the lives of Alec, his 6-year-old sister Lydia, and their father.
The grim discovery was made on Monday, May 20, 2024, after the children's mother grew
worried. Her concern was sparked when the children's school notified her of their unexcused absence. After her repeated calls to Brock Mater went unanswered, she drove to his home. Seeing his car in the driveway but receiving no response to her knocks, she contacted the Surprise Police Department to conduct a welfare check.
Upon their arrival, officers also attempted to make contact with those inside the residence, but their knocks and announcements were met with silence. Fearing for the safety of the occupants, they made the decision to force entry into the home. Inside, they were met with a horrific scene. The bodies of Alec, his sister, and their father were found, all deceased from gunshot wounds to the head. A rifle was found across Brock Mater's lap, indicating he had taken his own life after killing his children.
Neighbors later recounted hearing loud noises on Sunday evening, which they had dismissed as fireworks. It is now believed that these sounds were the gunshots that ended the lives of the Mater family. The investigation revealed that Brock Mater had been receiving mental health treatment, and had a history of welfare checks related to his mental health. There was a prior report of neglect involving the children made to the Department of Child Safety in October 2023, but the allegations were unsubstantiated and the case was closed after the family declined in-home services. No arrests were made as the perpetrator was deceased at the scene.
