In the quiet community of Glenelg, Maryland, a tragic event unfolded on January 14, 2024, ending the life of 17-year-old Braden Michael Zanski. Howard County police were dispatched to a home on Triadelphia Road for a welfare check late that Sunday evening. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered a heartbreaking scene. Braden, his 15-year-old sister Hailey, and their 42-year-old father, Christopher Zanski, were all found deceased from gunshot wounds.
The preliminary investigation by law enforcement quickly concluded that the incident was a double murder-suicide. It is believed that Christopher Zanski shot and killed his two children before turning the gun on himself. Authorities have stated that there are no indications of any other individuals being involved in the tragic event. While the motive for the killings remains unknown, police have suggested that it is likely domestic in nature. The parents of the children had been divorced since 2014.
Braden was an 11th-grade student at Glenelg High School, where he also attended the Automotive Technology Academy at the Howard County Public School System's Applications and Research Laboratory. He was known for his passion for automotives, a hobby he had nurtured since he was young. Described as having a heart of gold, Braden was devoted to his family and was always willing to help anyone in need. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Megan and Robert Wells, as well as his grandparents and step-siblings. In the wake of this devastating loss, the community mourned the bright futures of two young lives cut short, and Braden's mother announced plans to establish a nonprofit in honor of her children to help other victims of domestic violence.
