22 January 2023 , 13:50
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A dad was found dead along with his 14-year-old daughter at their home after he allegedly told his estranged wife "this is how it ends for us."
Christopher Wood, 51, made the chilling phone call to his wife before allegedly killing his daughter, Ava Wood, and turning the gun on himself on Friday in Baldwinsville, New York, US.
The bodies were found in different rooms in their home, according to police.
Ava's mum, who has not been identified, demanded a welfare check on her daughter following the chilling threat she allegedly received on Thursday.
She had also found out Ava had not gone to school that day.
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Christopher allegedly told his wife: “This is how it ends for us” before shooting his daughter and himself.
Police found the two bodies in separate rooms (ABC 9)Police believe the dad's gunshot wounds were self-inflicted. The incident is being treated as a murder-suicide, according to authorities.
Baldwinsville Police Chief Michael Lefancheck said: "The gunshot to Mr. Wood does appear to be self-inflicted."
Ava's mum revealed to police her estranged husband had been sending her harassing text messages.
The husband and wife had been involved in domestic incidents in the past, although none of them violent, according to police.
Ava, who played football, was a beloved student at Durgee Junior High School.
Staff had to break the tragic news one of their pupils had died, which left students gutted.
Wood had gunshot wounds which were self-inflicted, according to cops (ABC 9)The school's headteacher informed her classmates during their lunch break.
One student said: "It was just shocking, like almost immediately after he said that people were screaming and in tears."
Another added: "I'd only heard nice things about her, she was a super great person, It's just so sad."
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Tiffany Stubbmann, Ava's track and field coach, paid tribute to her and revealed she had an unbelievable work ethic.
She said: "I completely counted on Ava. If I said ‘Ava do this’ she’d do it. She was self-directed, had drive and an unprecedented work ethic. And she was fast."
The Baldwinsville Central School District cancelled all extracurricular activities on Friday following the news of her death.
The school also offered counseling for the students and teachers affected by the tragic news.
Acting Superintendent of Schools, Joseph M. DeBarbieri, said in a statement: “We are a close-knit school community and our hearts are broken by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with Ava’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time.”
Ava's mum has been overwhelmed with the support she's received from the local community.
She said in a statement: "To Ava’s friends, classmates, and teammates: please continue sharing photos and tributes to Ava.
"She loved each and every one of you, and we are grateful for the love you have shown her and our family."