In the quiet city of Superior, Wisconsin, a heart-wrenching story unfolded in August of 2010, forever marking a community with its tragic events. April Magdzas, a 26-year-old Caucasian woman, was on the cusp of welcoming her second child, a daughter she planned to name Annah. She was already a mother to a 13-month-old daughter, Lila. April, who had a passion for working with young people, was a cheerleading coach at Duluth East High School.
The dream of an expanding family and a happy
life turned into a nightmare on August 17, 2010. On that day, April, who was pregnant and due to give birth, was found dead in her home. The grim discovery was made by her own mother, who had come to the house. It was a scene of unimaginable horror. Not only was April deceased, but so was her infant daughter, Lila. The family's three dogs had also been killed.
The person responsible for this devastating act was April's husband and Lila's father, 23-year-old Matthew Magdzas. An Iraq war veteran, Matthew had taken the lives of his wife, his daughter, and their pets before turning the gun on himself, completing the horrific murder-suicide. He left no note to explain his actions, leaving family, friends, and the community to grapple with the unanswered question of "why."
Investigations into the tragedy revealed a troubled young man. Matthew was a veteran of the Wisconsin National Guard and had served in Iraq, where he was involved in combat and had earned a Purple Heart. Family members and friends indicated that he may have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following his return from the war. Despite seeking some help from the Veterans Administration, his inner turmoil ultimately led to the senseless loss of his entire family and his own life, leaving a permanent scar on the hearts of those who knew and loved April and her daughter. There were no other suspects and no arrests to be made, as the perpetrator had died at the scene.
