Authorities have identified the two parents and two young children who were found deceased in an apparent murder-suicide in North Hills last week. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a shooting call on May 27 at approximately 7:50 p.m. in the 16000 block of Londelius Street, where two minors and two adults were discovered.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office identified the mother as Marine Basmajian, 30, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Authorities allege that Marine Basmajian also killed her husband, Khajag Basmajian, 31, and their two children, 2-year-old Alec Basmajian and 6-day-old Ella Basmajian. The causes of death for the husband and two children were also determined to be gunshot wounds to the head.
Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that police are not actively searching for any additional suspects, and preliminary evidence strongly suggests a murder-suicide scenario. No further details regarding the sequence of events have been officially released.
A GoFundMe campaign established to support the family's final expenses has garnered significant community support, raising over $175,000 as of Tuesday from more than 900 donors. Descriptions on the fundraising page paint a picture of the family: Marine was remembered as a "caring mother and wife," while Khajag was described as a "devoted husband, loving father" known for his positive outlook. Young Alec was noted for his love of toy vehicles and ice cream.
A neighbor, Karen Banuelos, relayed comments attributed to the children's grandfather, suggesting the possibility of postpartum depression playing a role, given the recent birth of the youngest child. "Postpartum [depression] is real," Banuelos stated, expressing the profound devastation felt by the community. "To get possessed to do that? It’s just, there’s no words."
