On August 24, 2016, the body of 40-year-old Aric Babbitt, a White male, was discovered on a beach on Lopez Island, Washington. His death was the result of a gunshot wound in what authorities determined to be a murder-suicide involving his husband, Matthew Deyo. Witnesses in the area had reported hearing two gunshots the evening before the bodies were found.
Investigators found a suicide note at the scene, in which the couple expressed their love for the island, having visited it years prior.
The events leading to the deaths of Babbitt and Deyo began to unfold in South St. Paul, Minnesota, where Babbitt was an elementary school teacher. Just days before their bodies were found, a 16-year-old boy and his parents reported to police an ongoing sexual relationship involving the boy, Babbitt, and Deyo. This prompted a criminal investigation, and Babbitt was placed on administrative leave from his teaching position on August 17, 2016. The investigation soon expanded as other underage boys came forward with similar allegations of sexual misconduct.
Faced with the escalating investigation, Babbitt and Deyo left Minnesota. They told a friend they were going camping and borrowed a shotgun for protection against bears. On the day police sought to get a statement from them, they traveled to Washington state. A kayaker discovered one of the bodies on the Lopez Island beach, leading to the discovery of the second body and the suicide note. The deaths of Babbitt and Deyo brought an end to the criminal investigation into the sexual assault allegations. No arrests were made as the only suspect, Matthew Deyo, was also deceased.
