The heartbroken dad of a young boy killed in an apparent murder-suicide said the accused killer, the children's mother, had attempted to take her own life earlier this year
Billy Jacobson, the father of one of three children killed, asked people to "keep us in your prayers" after the passing of three children he named Billy, Noe and Bryce.
All three died when Brandy McCaslin, 39, apparently took her own life and the lives of her children after a standoff with police in Verdigris, Oklahoma on July 20.
Mr Jacobson claimed McCaslin was "mad at me because I wasn't coming back to her."
The dad appealed to people not to call their son anything other than Billy due to McCaslin's alleged attempts to change the boy's name.
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Baby Billy (facebook)On Facebook, he wrote yesterday: "There's something I want everyone to be clear about. When Brandy McCaslin tried to commit suicide in January. She tried to change my son's name because she was mad at me because I wasn't coming back to her. His name was Billy from day one.
"I never stopped calling him anything but that and it was wrong of her to do so. Out of respect to me and my son, who had no choice in the loss of his life due to his mother. Please do not refer to my child as anything but Billy. He deserves that."
In response to the opposite, friends and strangers sent their condolences to Mr Jacobson.
'The best big sister in the world,' McCaslin had said of her daughter (facebook)
Billy, Noe, and Bryce 'all passed,' Mr Jacobson said (facebook)One person wrote: "Your sweet Billy is adorable! I don't know any of you but I just can't imagine (despite past headlines regarding other similar tragedies) a parent or ANYONE harming a child!
"My heart aches for yours and the [family's] losses! R.I.P. little Billy and the other children as well. You are with Jesus now and those that love you will be comforted by your memories as they make sure your legacy lives on!"
Another added: "My heart goes out to you and the entire family. I’m so sorry that this happened to you. May God bring you strength in your time of grief. My heart is broken over this."
Posts on McCaslin's Facebook page include a picture of Billy and his sister, which she captions: "The best big sister in the world! He just snuggled in tight and slept in her arms."
'I just don’t understand it,' friend Lucretia Pitre said (AP)Tulsa World also reported that longtime family friend Lucretia Pitre said McCaslin posted a photograph on Facebook showing herself and a baby boy just days before the killings.
In the post, McCaslin said she was "so happy," Ms Pitre said, adding McCaslin had suffered tragedy in recent years including the deaths of her sister, uncle, grandparents and mother.
The deaths involved a suicide, a drug overdose and cancer.
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“This is heartbreaking,” Pitre said. “This family’s seen a lot, you know. Mental health has I feel like just really, really, really affected this family when it comes to that and substance abuse.
“I just can’t believe she took the kids. I don’t know. I just don’t understand it.”
McCaslin, top left, allegedly killed three children and then herself (facebook)She added: "I’m just at a loss for words... My heart’s just like — I don’t know. I’m just numb right now."
Police responded to the incident when an officer spotted a woman shooting a Roman candle through the broken window of a garage door.
Verdigris Police Chief Jack Shackelford said a woman had brought one child to the home for a supervised visit but was met by the child's mother who pointed a gun at her.
McCaslin allegedly took the child and locked the woman in the garage with two other children.
All three managed to escape, but officers were involved in a three-hour standoff.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) Public Information Manager Hunter McKee said they entered the house afterthere was no response from the armed woman, “where they found an adult woman along with three children dead inside, all with apparent gunshot wounds.”
Officers were involved in a three-hour standoff (AP)Of the incident, OSBI said: "Negotiations quickly began, as they worked to make contact with 39-year-old Brandy McCaslin. A stand-off ensued for the next three hours. After no response, officers made entry into the home where they found McCaslin, along with her three children, dead inside.
"The children included a ten-month-old, as well as a six and eleven-year-old. It was determined that McCaslin shot all three kids and then turned the weapon on herself.
"The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was requested to assist with this case. OSBI agents will continue to work alongside the Verdigris Police Department, as this investigation continues."
A GoFundMe set up to raise money for the Jacobson family has so far raised over $600, with an overall goal of $10,000.
In the US, if you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
In the UK, the Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
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