Characteristics of Homicide Followed by Suicide Incidents in Multiple States, 2003-04

Within participating American states, 65 homicide-suicide incidents occurred in 2003 & 144 incidents occurred in 2004. Most victims were a current or former intimate partner of the perpetrator. Among all male perpetrators of intimate partner homicide, 30.6% were also suicides. A substantial proportion of the victims were the children of the perpetrator. Overall, most victims were female & most perpetrators were male. A recent history of legal or financial problems was common among perpetrators. (31 refs.)