Florida Firefighter Kills Wife in Suspected Murder-Suicide Shortly After Couple Celebrated One-Year Anniversary
A firefighter allegedly took his own life after killing his wife, police said.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue Lieutenant Shawn Yarbrough, 46, and his wife, financial advisor Andrea Nicole Nahrup Yarbrough, 34, were both found dead in the bathroom of their home in the Entrada subdivision of St. Augustine on June 13, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's office, People reported.
The deaths were discovered after Andrea Yarbrough’s mother, Deborah Churchill, requested a welfare check at the couple's home, People reported. In the FIBRS Incident Report obtained by the outlet, Churchill shared that she asked for the check since neither her daughter nor son-in-law had been in contact with her even though she had called them multiple times.
Churchill, the incident report shows, said that she picked up her granddaughter that morning from the house but did not encounter Andrea Yarbrough or Shawn Yarbrough, People reported.
As per the incident report, her granddaughter said the couple were sleeping and Churchill did not push the matter.
Police, fire, and rescue personnel entered the premises through the unlocked front door. They searched the house and found a shell casing and blood coming out of a closed bathroom door on the second floor.
Inside the bathroom, they located Shawn Yarbrough, who was in a prone position on the floor and had his head covered in blood, People reported.
There was also a deceased female in the bathroom, later identified as Andrea Yarbrough. She was sitting with her back against the wall and had a gunshot wound to the chest.
Andrea Yarbrough’s sister, Olivia Marvin, shared that the couple had recently celebrated their first anniversary, along with their four kids, ActionNewsJax reported.
“We are so crushed. We thought everything was finally coming together. She was so proud of all her children and what they were doing. She always strived and wanted the best for everyone,” Marvin said.
Marvin shared that the loss has hit the family hard. “Andrea meant the world to everyone in our family and everyone she encountered. Anyone who knew her knew she’d never give up no matter how hard things got,” Marvin said.
St. John's County deputies shared that they believe Shawn Yarbrough turned the gun on himself after Andrea Yarbrough was already shot, ActionNewsJax reported.
Investigators believe Andrea Yarbrough's death is a homicide and Shawn Yarbrough died by suicide, People reported.
The sheriff's office shared that autopsies have been done on the bodies. As per the findings of the chief medical examiner for the District 23 Medical Examiner’s Office, both the victims died due to gunshot wounds.
Marvin has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser for Andrea Yarbrough's daughter, Lily.
The message on the site read, "Lily is suddenly and temporarily without the security of her mom, no health insurance, and, as of now, the family is unsure of any life insurance or benefits she may be entitled to. Lily and Marsh (her dog) will need to adjust to living with her loving grandparents in a new and strange world. Will you please find it in your heart to give some assistance to help pay for immediate healthcare costs and other necessities during this difficult transitional time of great loss and pain for a young girl thrust into adulthood. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you."