Tragedy struck suburban Orlando on Monday with news of a murder-suicide claiming the lives of a Heathrow family.
John Wood, 41, shot and killed his wife and two children before taking his own life in their posh gated community. Sadly, what may appear as eye-opening news for most neighborhoods could be deemed commonplace in Central Florida.
According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, there have been at least six murder-suicides in the region since Jan. 1. Three took place within a 10-day period in May.
While there does not appear to be a common thread linking the cases, the Wood family's financial woes may have triggered the unfortunate situation.
Forced to find a new job at a sporting goods store, Wood filed for bankruptcy in 2004 and was set to appear before an Orlando court in August to hash out his fiscal status. On top of the patriarch's financial misgivings, Cynthia Wood recently lost her job. The story of the Wood family's unfortunate struggles echo a tale currently being lived out by countless families across the country.
Simply put, times are tough.
For a man to give up hope and end the lives of his wife and young children speaks of an individual who let finances dictate the course of his life. There is no denying the fact that the ability to find inner peace while struggling to balance a budget demands persistence and determination. But as dire as one's situation may seem, the selfish act of a murder-suicide should never be rendered a viable option.
