The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office
has ruled the deaths of three people at a rural home just south of
Nevada as a double murder suicide. According to a press release
issued early Monday, Sheriff Jason Mosher confirmed that his office
responded to a 911 call placed by a family member. Responding
emergency personnel pronounced all three people dead on scene.
According to the press release authorities say evidence indicates
that Charles K Besaw, 52 of Nevada shot and killed his brother Harold
Besaw, 54 of California, and his mother Fay F Besaw, 77 of Nevada
before taking his own life.
Sheriff Jason Mosher said he called out
the Southwest Missouri Case Squad Friday when he was notified of the
incident. “When the call first came in we didn’t know what we
would be dealing with or what had happened so I called out the Major
Case Squad to make sure we had all the help we needed.” The Sheriff
confirmed that a semi auto handgun belonging to Charles Besaw was
used in the shootings and was recovered by his office.
According to the press release,
investigators believe the shooting took place between the hours of
3pm and 7pm on Thursday, July 3rd and the 911 call was placed on
Friday, July 4th at 2:49 pm. The Sheriff said the investigation did
show an apparent motive to the shootings but would not specify as to
what that motive was. “It’s a family matter and I am going to
respect the family’s wishes to keep it that way” said Mosher. The
Sheriff also said he would not comment on who the family member was
that called 911. “Our prayers are with the family members of the
deceased during their time of grieving and I ask that the media and
public respect their privacy during this time.”
