Mairy Anneliese Deegan, age 7, tragically passed away on October 24, 2020, in Bellingham, WA, alongside her twin sister, Katie Elizabeth Deegan. The twin sisters were found deceased in their home, and the circumstances surrounding their deaths were both shocking and heartbreaking. The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office determined that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide carried out by their mother, Michele Boudreau Deegan.
Michele Boudreau Deegan, a psychologist specializing in
marriage and family counseling, was involved in a contentious custody dispute at the time of the incident. Authorities believe this dispute was the primary motive behind the tragic event. On the evening of October 23, 2020, Michele reportedly administered a large amount of sedatives to her daughters, rendering them incoherent. She then fatally shot both girls while they slept before turning the gun on herself.
The investigation revealed that Michele had been experiencing significant emotional distress and had expressed suicidal ideations. Just days before the incident, a court had ordered her to share custody of the twins with her estranged husband, which investigators believe precipitated her actions. The Whatcom County Medical Examiner, Dr. Gary Goldfogel, confirmed that the cause of death for Mairy and Katie was large caliber gunshot wounds to the head.
No arrests were made in connection with the deaths, as Michele Boudreau Deegan was identified as the sole perpetrator. The case was closed following the confirmation of the murder-suicide, and no further suspects were sought. The community of Bellingham was left in mourning, grappling with the loss of two young lives and the tragic circumstances that led to their untimely deaths.
