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In October 2024, six members of the Humiston family were sleeping peacefully in their beds in Fall City, Washington.   Parents Sarah and Mark lived in a beautiful lake-front home with their five children - aged between 7 and 15.

Sarah and Mark had been having some troubles with their eldest son, who we will call  ‘A’.   He had been caught viewing inappropriate images online and had been struggling with his school work.  

On October 21, 2024, A retrieved a gun from the family’s gun safe.   He then allegedly shot every single member of his family.  He believed they were all dead and he called 911.  He told dispatchers that his younger brother Benjamin had carried out the massacre before taking his own life.

A was incorrect in thinking that his whole family was dead.   His 11 y/o sister had played dead after he shot her and she managed to run to a neighboring property to ask for help.  She told authorities the true story.   

In August 2025, new court documents were filed that indicate the Humiston parents were controlling and isolated their children from the community.   “A common theme that has been expressed amongst extended family, neighbors, and those who knew the Humistons is that the children were isolated from the outside world and did not engage socially with many peers – only a select few families that went to their church and were friends of their family,” court documents say.

“Furthermore, initial reports indicate the home was abusive, tightly controlled, and dominated by extreme religious beliefs.”

A has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.   A debate is currently ongoing in the legal system to determine if he will be tried as an adult or a juvenile.

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