Man, two children dead in murder-suicide, Surprise PD says

SURPRISE, AZ (AZFamily) — A man and his two young children died in an apparent murder-suicide, Surprise police announced Tuesday morning.

Brock Mater, 34, was found dead along with his seven-year-old son and six-year-old daughter during a welfare check early Monday afternoon.

Around noon, a woman called Surprise police after becoming concerned when her children’s school called to report an unexcused absence. She said she was in the process of getting a divorce and her children had been visiting her estranged husband.

She told police she tried to call Mater several times and went to his home in the area of ​​Bell and Litchfield Roads, but received no answer when she knocked on the door, even though his car was parked outside.

Officers responded and received no response at the door. According to police, officers then gained entry to conduct a welfare check and found Mater and the two children dead from gunshot wounds.

Investigators recovered a rifle from Mater’s lap.

During the investigation, investigators learned that Mater had recently undergone mental health treatment, according to police.

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