In a quiet Phoenix, Arizona neighborhood near 16th Street and South Mountain, a tragic event unfolded on March 21, 2023, claiming the lives of three individuals, including a young boy. Six-year-old White / Caucasian male, Jacob De Zeeuw Jr., was found deceased at the scene. The devastating incident was discovered after a request for a welfare check at the residence just before 11 a.m.
Upon their arrival, police officers discovered two victims outside the home and one inside.
The other victims were identified as 37-year-old Sarah Scott and 27-year-old Jacob De Zeeuw Sr. Further investigation revealed the heartbreaking circumstances of their deaths. Authorities determined that Jacob De Zeeuw Sr. had shot and killed both Sarah Scott and his son, Jacob De Zeeuw Jr., before taking his own life. The case was subsequently classified as a murder-suicide, and police are not searching for any other suspects.
The tragedy was compounded by the fact that Sarah Scott was four months pregnant at the time of her death. The loss of the unborn child added another layer of sorrow to the already horrific event. A joint investigation was conducted by the Phoenix Police Department and the Department of Child Safety. Prior to this incident, there had been no reports of child abuse or neglect involving Jacob De Zeeuw Sr. However, the Department of Child Safety had two prior reports involving Jacob De Zeeuw Jr. and his mother, both of which were unsubstantiated.
