Expand / Collapse search
☰

Police investigating murder-suicide involving 8-year-old in Lower Makefield, officials say

By , and FOX 29 staff
Updated  July 21, 2023 9:40am EDT
Bucks County
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Police investigate murder-suicide in Bucks County

Police have identified a 47-year-old man and his 8-year-old son who died in a murder-suicide in Lower Makefield Township.

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Police in Bucks County are investigating a murder-suicide involving a child in Lower Makefield. 

According to authorities, on Thursday at 6:10 p.m., officers with the Lower Makefield Township Police Department reported to a home on the 500 block of Heritage Oak Drive for a wellness check. 

Officers checked the home and found two people inside, dead from apparent gunshot wounds to the head, police say. 

Lower Makefield police respond to alleged murder-suicide

Police in Bucks County are investigating what they consider a murder-suicide at a home in Lower Makefield.

Officials say the incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide and identified the two people as 47-year-old Joseph Rozario and his 8-year-old son Fabian. 

Authorities say the Bucks County Coroner's Office is conducting autopsies. 

According to officials, the family has lived in the township for four years and Fabian attended a local school.

The news has stunned neighbors.

"Utter disbelief and loss," Peter Blum said. "He was just the nicest guy. He was pleasant to talk to. He was very friendly. He seemed new to owning his own home, maintaining a property. He’d come over to see what I was doing."

Rozario, who worked as a chef, can be seen on Facebook discussing recipes.

Captain Jason Braim, with the Lower Makefield Police Department, described what transpired during the initial wellness check, saying, "They did see a boy inside, down on the ground. Our officers forced entry into the home and found the father and the son deceased, with gunshot wounds."

Neighbors say Rozario lived with his wife and they showed no outward signs they were struggling. Blum says the couple would come and go regularly and, occasionally, he’d see their son.

"Basically, just a nice guy. It’s really a shame," Blum added.

"Understanding what he has done must be incredibly hard?" FOX 29’s Jeff Cole asked.

"Oh no," Blum replied. "It’s just no understanding. It passes understanding."

If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line).