One dead, another on life support after Struthers mom-son shootings
STRUTHERS
A 23-year-old Struthers man is dead, and his mother remains on life support, following an apparent murder-suicide attempt at 433 Seventh St. late Thursday.
According to Struthers police, Justin Slaven was found dead at the residence between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Thursday by his father, who discovered that his wife, 44-year-old Leslie Slaven, had shot herself as well. She remains at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.
Police Chief Tim Roddy called the incident “unfortunate,” explaining that “some type of mental issue” likely spurred the attempt. He added that the incident is still under investigation — and that its outcome depends on both the coroner’s findings and on Leslie Slaven’s condition.
“Moms don’t arbitrarily just decide to kill themselves, then their kids,” Roddy said. “Very rarely do you see women do that.”