Scottsdale, AZ: Scottsdale murder-suicide leaves four dead, including two children

August 8, 9:12 PM · Kyle Patton - Scottsdale Headlines Examiner

Scottsdale, AZ --- An apparent murder-suicide in Scottsdale earlier this month that left four people dead, two of which were children, is still under investigation.

Scottsdale Police have released the name of two of the departed, including the man who police believe gunned down his family before taking his own life.

Russell Gilman, 48, is believed to have killed his wife, 45-year old Stacey Want along with two boys, ages 3 and 7 inside their rented home near 91^st Street and Thunderbird Road last Thursday.

Investigators are currently waiting for positive identification of Want through an autopsy. The names of the children have not been released.

Police officers found the bodies after an out-of-state family member called and asked for a welfare check after receiving no response from the family. The bodies are believed to have been inside the house for a matter of days before being discovered.

A gun and a note written by Gilman were found inside the home. The contents of the note have yet to be released pending the ongoing investigation.

Various reports describe the family as being quiet, polite but altogether normal.

Gilman was the owner of Evolution Media Group, dealing in real-estate, interior design and marketing before the company dissolved in June.

Community members along with the Scottsdale Police still have little to no indication of motive. Police are not looking for any other suspects at this time.

According to police the family was planning a San Diego vacation before the 7-year old boy’s first day of school.

Neighbors reported to various news organizations that a note was spotted on the front door of the home explaining how to take care of the family’s dogs.

Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is preparing Monday by having counselors on-site at Redfield Elementary School, which sits a block away from the home. Police have not confirmed whether or not the 7-year old boy was enrolled in Redfield.

---This is an ongoing report. Article last updated August 8, 8:10 p.m. MST--