Authorities in LaSalle County tonight are releasing new details about last week's murder-suicide, where a mother took the lives of her two young children, followed by her own.
They say they're doing so to help the public understand what happened and, perhaps more importantly, how to cope.
Late last Thursday afternoon, LaSalle county authorities say, Gary Shepard was carpooling home with a co-worker.
As they approached his two story house in rural Grand Ridge home, they saw the two story house in flames.
Shepard called 911.
"The house being pretty well engulfed in flames, they weren't able to get inside," said LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton. "The fire department from Grand Ridge arrived. They did a pretty good job of getting the flames knocked down as quickly as they could."
Initial reports stated investigators found the bodies of 36 year-old Jennifer Shepard, 11 year-old Jake Shepard and 9 year-old Jordan Shepard in an upstairs bedroom.
Friday afternoon, an unthinkable twist- autopsy results showed all three died of multiple cuts and stab wounds.
Authorities say the bodies of Jennifer Shepard and her two sons were found in the front right bedroom of the home, one of the boy's rooms.
They say a chest of drawers was blocking the door, and the only window was intact, eliminating the involvement of a fourth party.
In other words, they say it appears Jennifer Shepard is indeed responsible for the deaths of her children.
"Once they were inside that room, there wasn't anyone else that was going to get inside or going to get out," said Templeton.
Authorities say Shepard started the fire in the downstairs kitchen, the took the children upstairs.
"The knife was found. It was a larger kitchen knife. It was found with Mrs. Shepard," he said.
They say Shepard had suffered from mental health issues for a couple years, but add family members hadn't noticed anything odd in her recent behavior.
Now a community struggles to cope.
"It's hard for the public to think that anyone could do this to their children," said Templeton. "No one wants to believe that anyone could. Unfortunately it does happen."
Information officials hope will helps the public begin to understand the unimaginable.
Elias Funeral Home in Streator is taking care of all funeral arrangements for the Shepard family.
A visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The funeral has been scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
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