On Monday, 40-year-old Alvaro Camara was found dead in his California home after he killed in his two young children in an apparent murder-suicide, according to police. The three died sometime around Father’s Day on Sunday. Neighbors of a woman whose two children were allegedly killed by her estranged husband created a small memorial of flowers and stuffed animals outside her apartment.
“I feel the sorrow for this father but my heart is breaking for those kids and this mother,” said Alvara Camara’s neighbor Carrie Buchholz.In an emailed statement the children’s mother writes, “They are my precious innocent children that were beyond loved … I am not the only person that is or has gone through this horrific unimaginable situation.”Santa Rosa police say they have records of calls beginning in April from both the husband and wife, all centered around custody disputes.
“There’s nothing that we can determine at this particular point that shows there were any threats made suicidal homicidal or that would endanger anybody,” said Lt. Mike Lazzarini with the Santa Rosa Police Department.Investigators say they encouraged the couple to obtain a custody order, which they did this past Wednesday.
The children’s mother says she called law enforcement again this weekend concerned for the children’s safety.
She writes, “I sought help on numerous occasions and said many many many times my children were in danger in their father’s care.”Santa Rosa police say they are still digging through messages sent between the couple.”There’s a significant amount of communications that had occurred throughout the weekend,” said Lt. Lazzarini.Police also say Camara called Child Protective Services Sunday afternoon regarding the mother’s home.
“Complaining about living conditions,” continued Lazzarini.
“It’s just all really sad,” said Buchholz.
“My heart goes out to her I can’t even imagine I can’t even wrap my mind around what she must be feeling right now,” she continued.
Buchholz said she never saw Camara mistreat his children.
“He was just such a good dad and a good person,” she said.
The children’s autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday.