MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Authorities have identified a mother and daughter who were found fatally shot inside a Montgomery Township home last week, along with the husband and father whose death was ruled a suicide.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald identified the victims as Lora Grodnick, 62, and her daughter, Sloane Grodnick, 24. The man found dead in the home was identified as David Grodnick, 61, Lora’s husband and Sloane’s father.
Montgomery Township police were initially called at approximately 2:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, to check on the occupants of a home on Wild Azalea Lane, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officers responded but were unable to make contact with the occupants and began investigating their whereabouts.
At approximately 5:52 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Montgomery police were able to enter the home. Officers found Lora and Sloane Grodnick dead in separate bedrooms with apparent gunshot wounds, authorities said.
David Grodnick was also found dead inside the home with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities said he was found in possession of a firearm.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset.
Detectives from the Montgomery Township Police Department and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to investigate. Medical investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office also responded.
Postmortem examinations determined Lora and Sloane Grodnick each died from a gunshot wound to the head, and their deaths were ruled homicides.
David Grodnick died from a gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a suicide, according to authorities.
Investigators said the deaths of Lora and Sloane Grodnick were an isolated occurrence and there is no threat to the public.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said no additional information is available for release at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Montgomery Township Police Department at 908-359-3222. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office tip system or by calling 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).
