In the quiet of a Tucson, Arizona morning on September 2, 2014, a residence on North Bonanza Avenue became the scene of a heart-wrenching tragedy. Inside, the lives of seven-week-old Jase David DeBaker, a Caucasian male, and his 34-year-old mother, Heather Marcucci, were violently cut short. The perpetrator was identified as 21-year-old Jeremy DeBaker, the infant's father and Heather's boyfriend.
Authorities were called to the home around 1:30 a.m., where they discovered a grim scene in
the front yard. Heather Marcucci and her infant son, Jase, were found deceased, both victims of gunshot wounds. Adding to the sorrow, two dogs had also been fatally shot. The investigation quickly revealed the incident to be a double murder-suicide.
Jeremy DeBaker was found at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It was determined that he had shot and killed both Heather and Jase before turning the gun on himself. The case was subsequently closed as the suspect was deceased. The Arizona Department of Child Safety, in conjunction with the Tucson Police Department, conducted a joint investigation into the tragic event. Their records indicated no prior reports of abuse or neglect involving Jase and his father.
