Amanda Bennett

Case overview

Amanda Bennett was an Indiana woman who shot her three children and set the family’s house on fire before turning the gun on herself, police said. The bodies of four people were discovered when police in Austin, Indiana responded to the home to conduct a welfare check.

Timeline

• Friday — Police in Austin, Indiana responded to a welfare check; officers forced entry, found recent fire damage, and discovered four deceased persons in the residence.
• Monday — Indiana State Police issued a statement describing the preliminary findings and stating that the investigation remained open until autopsy reports were finalized.
• January 24, 2011 — Amanda Bennett’s body and those of her children were found in a partially burned-down house; autopsy information was later described as showing gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation.
• January 25, 2011 — Police statements and online content discussions were relayed by CNN and related reporting.

Background

A friend, Karen Barrett, said Jasmine had made references at school to marital problems between Amanda Bennett and her husband and to a possible divorce. Barrett said: "This past Sunday night we come home from church," and added: "There were two loads of cops here and the husband and wife I assume had a scuffle because that's what my niece said, that Jasmine had come to school talking about her mom and dad getting a divorce." Barrett also said: "He'd get out and play basketball with the kids, she'd sit out on the porch and watch 'em play you'd never know there was any family trouble, never," and: "I just can't see it myself, Lord knows all about it."

Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Jerry Goodin said authorities examined online content as part of the investigation, including a posting purportedly from Amanda Bennett that blamed her husband. Goodin said: "The only person that knows the motive is Amanda."

The offence

Indiana State Police preliminarily concluded that 30-year-old Amanda Bennett shot the children before starting the fire and shooting herself. The three children were identified as 14-year-old Jasmine Abbott, 9-year-old Katelynn Bennett, and 4-year-old Ryan Bennett.

Police said all four apparently died from gunshot wounds to the head. Amanda Bennett and Katelynn Bennett also suffered smoke inhalation. After shooting her children, Amanda Bennett started a fire in the home and took her own life. The family dog was also shot, but survived and was being treated at a veterinary clinic.

A posting purportedly from Amanda Bennett included the line: "You got what you wanted, no wife and no kids." Another account of an internet message described an online posting that included: "it’s time to take the pain away so John Bennett this is for you you got what u wanted no wife an no kids".

Investigators said they would not provide additional comment on possible domestic problems. Goodin stated: "That is part of our investigation so there are some things that we don't want to release."

Investigation

Indiana State Police said the officer who first entered had to make a forced entry into the residence. The statement said that once inside, the officer saw parts of the home had suffered recent fire damage and located four deceased persons in the home.

The state police assisted with the investigation. The investigation remained open until autopsy reports were finalized. Indiana State Police stated: "While the investigation remains open until autopsy reports are finalized, indications are this case is a tragic case of murder/suicide that claimed three innocent lives along with the suspect of the murders, Amanda Bennett."

Police also examined online content, including the posting purportedly from Amanda Bennett that blamed her husband.

Arrest

There was no arrest described.

Trial

There was no trial described.

Sentencing

There was no sentencing described.

Appeals

There were no appeals described.

Outcome

The incident was treated by police as a murder/suicide in which Amanda Bennett killed her three children and then killed herself. Preliminary findings indicated gunshot wounds to the head caused death for all four, with Amanda Bennett and Katelynn Bennett also suffering smoke inhalation.

Aftermath

Austin schools had extra counselors at school on Monday. Debra Davidson, a cook at Austin Elementary, said: "She always gave me and one of the other cooks a hug every day," in reference to 9-year-old Katelynn.

Sgt. Jerry Goodin said: "This is a very, very tragic situation - a very sad situation," and: "We have no reason to believe at this time that the public at large should be scared for their safety.'"

Additional online content described a message board thread on the Crothersville Forum involving posts about John Bennett and a co-worker identified as "Jan," including a user posting as "Employee" stating: 'John Bennett and Jan need to quit messing with each other they are both married and she is old.' It also described responses by Amanda Bennett that included: 'Glad you all want in are business.' Another message described as written by Amanda Bennett stated: 'he will regret everything he is doing right now . Maybe not tomorrow but one dAy'. The reporting also described a poster named "Team Black" posting: 'I guess everyone knows by now that Amanda Bennett and her kids are dead. 'I would think that the guilt felt by Jan, John, and all the people who made fun of her on here and called her names is very strong.'"

Other details

The bodies were discovered after police were asked by a family member to check on them. Police found parts of the home had been burned and, after a "quick search," discovered the four bodies. The home was described as being in the 200 block of New York St. in Austin, Indiana. Austin was described as about 35 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. A veterinary clinic treated the surviving dog.