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Andrew Robinson was depressed and "seeking treatment for physical and mental health issues" when he shot and killed his wife Linda and son Sebastian at their Andover home on Thursday, Feb. 9, the Essex County District Attorney's Office reports.
Investigators also learned that Andrew was prescribed medication for his conditions. Police had never been called to the house before, the office continued.
“Unfortunately, we will never have all the answers of why this horrendous incident occurred," Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said. "However, some of the ‘why’ has been answered, and we hope it provides some closure for the extended family and everyone else affected."
Investigators believe Andrew was the one who called police that fatal morning. A young man's voice, believed to be Sebastian's, was also heard shouting in the background along with gunshots, the DA's Office added.
Sebastian, age 12, was a sixth-grader at Saint John's Preparatory School in Danvers. The school held a prayer service for the student and his family following the incident.
"Sebastian was well-known in our middle school for his creativity, his passion for learning, and his presence as a kind and gentle soul," Head of School Ed Hardiman said in a statement.
"In the classroom, he was eager to ask why and how, and for more depth about the subject matter," Hardiman continued. "He was also an enthusiastic participant in our co-curricular programming, especially our string orchestra and service projects."
Sebastian and Linda were laid to rest on Saturday, Feb. 18, according to Sebastian's obituary. St. John's also created a scholarship in both their names.
“While we can never know everything going on inside someone’s home or mind, we’re absolutely clear domestic violence can’t be tolerated for any reason, and that there’s a mental health crisis in our country," said District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. "No one should feel alone as they cope with these problems.”
Massachusetts has multilingual, toll-free, statewide, 24/7 domestic violence hotlines: SafeLink, 877-785-2020; HAWC, 1-800-547-1649; YWCA, 844-372-9922; and the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, 978-388-1888.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (or 1-800-273-8255) to connect with a trained counselor.
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