New details released by police in pre-planned suicides of York County family

YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The West Manchester Township Police Department have released more details into the pre-planned suicides of the Daub family.

The lead investigator, Detective Timothy Fink, released the following information on Friday:

According to a written document left behind by Deborah Daub she speaks of a joint decision by she and Morgan to end their lives. She also speaks about the evil that has mounted against Morgan and the family but does not detail to what she is referring. The rest of the letter seems to be directed to or about God and to her husband, James Daub. The letter reads as if she expects James to survive them after their passing. The letter from Deborah Daub was signed and dated 1/19/2023. This letter also references a similar letter written approximately 9 months earlier. Additional written documents from Deborah state "Samuel 1:24-28 Morgan chose the date! I believe I have to be with her!" Written documents left behind by Morgan Daub were also discovered. There was an extensive list or checklist, consisting of multiple pages, which appears to contain preparatory steps before ending her life. These listed steps included speak to dad, clipping the dog’s nails, letters to family, etc.

Police go on to say:

The recovered written document from James Daub, which was not dated, opens by saying that he was crushed when Morgan told "us" that she must end her life. The letter indicates that that he is aware that both Morgan and Deborah can't go on and wish to end their lives. In the early parts of the letter James says that he is not ready to end his life but by the end of the letter it is evident that he had then decided to do so. Suicide letters were also found. There were two letters, one signed by James and one signed by Deborah. The note from James says that he took his life of his own free will. It continues saying "with only 2 guns & me being shaky, my wife Debbie pulled the trigger for me." The note from Deborah says that she took her life by her free will. It continues saying "I was too shaky, so my daughter pulled the trigger for me. Each note was dated 1-24-2023. The written documents were compared to other written documents found within the home and on social media. The writing and signatures appear to be consistent between the samples.

Authorities say that other documents found at the scene included a Living Will, a Last Will, details on the disposition of assets and instructions on disposition of the family dog.

In the release, police go on to detail how the bodies of the Daubs' were found.

Police say there was no signs of forced entry were found. There also were no signs of a struggle or indications of anyone other than the victims being present during their deaths, officials say.

The release says that how the bodies were located, along with pistols and shell casings and the wearing of hearing protection support the account put forward in the written documents left behind by the family. That account being that all three family members decided to end their lives on 1/24/2023.

James Daub was shot in the head and killed by Deborah Daub. Deborah Daub was shot in the head and killed by Morgan Daub. Morgan Daub committed suicide by then shooting herself in the head, according to police.

Police say that they received a call from a resident in the immediate area of the crime scene on January 25 and he reported that he heard three gunshots during the late evening hours on January 24. Police say he believed that it occurred just before midnight. He said that the first two gunshots were muffled, and the last gunshot could be heard much more clearly. He also told us that there was only a short amount of time between each shot, approximately 10-15 seconds, according to police.

The West Manchester Township Police say the investigation is now closed and no other information will be made available.

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