Jennifer Hart

Mass Murderer

Jennifer Hart and the 2018 Hart Family Murder–Suicide

Overview

On March 26, 2018, Jennifer Hart intentionally drove the family’s SUV off a cliff along California State Route 1 near Westport in Mendocino County, California. The plunge killed Jennifer, her wife Sarah Hart, and their six adopted children. Authorities determined that the children were homicide victims and that Jennifer and Sarah died by suicide. The case, widely known as the Hart family murders, exposed years of concern about the children’s welfare and became a grim example of murder–suicide within a family.

Background and Prior Warnings

Before the crash, the family had lived in several states, including Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. Over the years, teachers, neighbors, and officials raised concerns about the children, including allegations of food deprivation and strict isolation. In the days leading up to the crash, a report to child protective services prompted an attempted welfare check at the Harts’ Woodland, Washington home, after which the family abruptly left the area and drove south into California.

The Crash on the Mendocino Coast

Shortly after midday on March 26, 2018, the family’s GMC Yukon XL left the turnout on a cliffside stretch of Highway 1 and plunged roughly 100 feet to the rocky shoreline below. Investigators found no skid or braking marks on the approach. The vehicle was discovered upside down on the rocks; several victims were found in or near the wreckage, and a large-scale shoreline search followed for the remaining children. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Markis Hart 19 yr old Male

    ...View 5 additional victims    ...View 5 additional victims    ...View 5 additional victims    ...View 5 additional victims    ...View 5 additional victims

Hart family murders - Wikipedia

    ...View 11 additional sources