A Pennsylvania community is mourning after a father allegedly threw his two young children from a parking garage before jumping to his own passing.
Patrick Lynch passed alongside his eight-year-old son, James, and six-year-old daughter, Caroline.
The tragedy left their mother, Anna DeMase Lynch, facing an unimaginable loss.
As investigators work to establish what happened, Anna has shared details about her husband's struggles in the months leading up to the passing.
Highlights
- Patrick Lynch and his children, James and Caroline passed away after falling from a parking garage in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
- Their mother, Anna DeMase Lynch, said Patrick had struggled with depression after losing his job.
- The passings have devastated the local community of Mt. Lebanon.
“I cannot imagine what Anna is going through- the loss of her husband & children together and what she is navigating at this time is a tragedy,” wrote one netizen.
A 42-year-old father threw his two young kids from a garage before taking his own life
The incident happened on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Mt. Lebanon, an affluent suburb about five miles south of downtown Pittsburgh, per Penn Live.
Police identified the deceased as Patrick Lynch, James, and Caroline.
According to reports, all three were found near the bottom of a parking garage at around 4:15 p.m. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures. Still, they were pronounced lifeless at the scene.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office initially described their passings as resulting from an “apparent fall.”
Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman appeared visibly emotional while speaking to reporters. He clarified that investigators were not treating the passings as an accident.
“There will be a significant amount of trauma associated with this event for the community,” he said.
Haberman also explained why the tragedy was likely to affect so many local families.
“Everybody in the Mt. Lebanon community will know somebody involved in this incident,” he added. “We really want to send our condolences.”
The kids' mother revealed Patrick had been struggling with depression
As the investigation continued, Anna shared a heartbreaking statement about what happened to her family.
In a Facebook post, she confirmed that her husband had slaughtered their two children and himself.
“My husband made the irreversible decision to k*ll our two children and himself this evening,” she wrote.
Anna also said Patrick lost his job in August 2026. According to her, he began struggling with depression after being laid off.
She said she noticed he was struggling and encouraged him to seek professional help. Patrick reportedly agreed and arranged an appointment with a therapist.
However, the appointment was scheduled for November 4, just one day after the tragedy.
“I suggested he to go to a therapist, which he agreed to go to and had an appointment booked for 11/4. One day too late,” Anna wrote.
She also wanted people to remember that Patrick had been a loving father before the incident.
“Before the media jumps to conclusions, he was a wonderful dad,” she said.
Anna also shared a heartbreaking goodbye to James and Caroline
Along with describing her husband's struggles, Anna asked people to check on those they care about.
“Please check in on your loved ones. I never thought this is how our story would end,” she wrote.
“Rest in peace, my angels. James, may you ski all the bowls, and Caroline, may you eat all the Skittles and play in your own castle made of slime. Best friends forever.”
The loss has also left people in the community heartbroken. Two elementary schools in the Mt. Lebanon School District, Markham Elementary and Washington Elementary, were closed on Wednesday to give staff time to grieve and receive professional counseling.
The district also made counselors available to support students and staff dealing with the tragedy.
The tragic passings have left the local community mourning the loss
The passings have deeply affected Mt. Lebanon, where several local institutions have taken steps to support those grieving.
Caroline attended Honey Bee Haven, a local daycare.
In a statement shared with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the daycare remembered Caroline as an important part of its community.
“Caroline was an important part of our community, and her presence touched our teachers, classmates, and all who knew her. We will honor her by continuing to live out these values every day,” the statement read.
“Anna has dedicated so much of her life to advocating for children and ensuring they have safe, supportive environments in which to thrive,” it added.
The Allegheny County Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the passings. Authorities have not publicly explained what happened in the moments before the family fell from the garage.
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