The Tampa home of tennis pro James Blake burned down May 7. While Blake had not lived there for some time, he was leasing the house to a man named Darrin Campbell. After a thorough investigation, officials say Campbell set fire to the house after shooting his wife and two children in a grizzly murder-suicide.
Though no word has been issued as to Campbell's motive, law enforcement officials have released an official statement concerning the details of the incident (via Huffington Post):
"Hillsborough County Sheriff's Col. Donna Lusczynski said at a news conference Friday that Darrin Campbell had purchased fireworks, gas cans and gasoline in the days before the family was killed.
"Campbell shot his wife, Kimberly, 19-year-old son Colin Campbell and teenage daughter Megan each in the head with a.40-caliber handgun he bought last year before setting the house on fire and shooting himself in the head.
"'This is certainly disturbing,'" Lusczynski said.
Blake had not been living at the mansion for the last year and a half, according to gossip site TMZ, but instead had been leasing it to Campbell, who had worked numerous high-level jobs prior to this ghastly crime (via Huffington Post):
"Campbell had been an executive for several high-profile businesses, including a stint at PODS, the mobile storage company. He was most recently working at a records management firm and volunteering as treasurer at his children's private school. His wife, Kimberly, was a stay-at-home mom, according to her father, Gordon Lambie."
TMZ also said that surveillance tapes have surfaced showing Campbell purchasing the gas cans and fireworks in the days just prior to the incident.
What do you think? Why would someone commit such a heinous crime? What were the circumstances surrounding Campbell's job and finances? Did those factors contribute in any way?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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