The only surviving son of a marine veteran who committed a murder-suicide told The Post that his father struggled with mental health but was “determined to control himself.”
Stuart Rouse, 64, killed his wife Christina, 63, and their two grown children Kristina, 33, and Melissa, 19, and his brother Ronald, 57, at their home in Vancouver, Washington, on Sunday.
Police have said Rouse then turned the gun on himself in the bathroom.
“Our father was a very patriotic man who proudly served his country,” Rouse’s only surviving child, Kristoffer Rouse, and his wife Anne Aquino said in a text message to The Post.
“He is a loving and protective father to his wife and children.
“He suffers from undiagnosed PTSD, anxiety and depression. He is a proud and very loving person.”
Stuart Rouse fatally shot his wife, two adult daughters, his brother and himself. Photo: GoFundMe. GoFundMe
According to Kristoffer, his father served about 20 years in the Marines, and struggled with mental health issues related to it.
“Mental health is a huge factor,” he told The Post.
“Everyone tried to get him help but he insisted on controlling it himself and he had severe insomnia.”
Rouse had no criminal history prior to the shooting, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
A neighbor, who described the family as “normal,” said they heard screams coming from the house and then gunshots.
“Kristina always leads well and is so genuine. His humor is subtle and intelligent and he excels at making people feel comfortable,” wrote Aisha Reuler.GoFundMe GoFundMe
Kristoffer and Anne described Cristina, Melissa and Kristina as “the kindest, most helpful, generous, sweetest people – not to mention smart. They care most about helping others,” according to The Columbian.
Police arrived at the home about 1 p.m. after a relative called police hours after receiving an odd text message from Rouse, who allegedly wrote he had “hurt other people,” according to Clark County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Skidmore.
Unfortunately, the brother didn’t see the text message for another four hours, and when he failed to reach his family, the brother called emergency dispatch to conduct a welfare check on the home, authorities said.
Police believed the victim was dead when they arrived. The motive for the shooting is unknown.
Jaimee Wacker remembered Melissa, writing: “I knew Melissa in high school, she was so kind and sweet, I was surprised how the world could take such a beautiful and intelligent person.” Family Distribution
The family was later identified by Anne in an online post.
“I don’t know how to start this, but my husband’s father, stepmother, 2 sisters and my uncle died tragically on the morning of Dec 3rd. We are still in disbelief and our hearts are broken,” Aquino wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Tributes poured in for the victims online as news of the tragedy spread.
“Kristina always leads well and is so genuine. His humor is subtle and intelligent and he excels at making people feel comfortable,” wrote Aisha Reuler.
“A cheerful, hardworking, sweet person to get to know and work with. I will cherish the memory of our matching shirts. He will be greatly missed.”
Jaimee Wacker remembered Melissa, writing: “I knew Melissa in high school, she was so kind and sweet, I was surprised how the world could take such a beautiful and intelligent person.”
The family previously suffered a tragedy in 2021 when one of their sons, Brian, died at the age of 38. A note on the memorial page indicated he had taken his own life.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
