A 51-year-old man is accused of shooting and killing his teenage daughter in what police claim was a well-planned murder-suicide, leaving a community in Idaho in shock. Delbert C., the suspect, is currently being charged with aggravated assault and first-degree murder.
A Chilling Plan Unfolds
According to court records, Delbert told officers he had been plotting for almost a year to kill all three of his children before killing himself. He informed investigators that this was the reason he bought a firearm in the fall of 2024.
After consuming alcohol, Delbert went into his daughter Hope C’s bedroom on the morning of August 18. He allegedly kissed her cheek after shooting her in the head there. According to investigators, he also killed her cat because no one would look after it once they were all dead.
Later, Hope’s body was discovered in her room with a hatchet stuck in the bedroom door.
Confrontation With His Son
It took many hours for Delbert’s adolescent son to come home from school in the afternoon. Police said that before telling his son he had slain his sister, Delbert asked him calmly about his day. Delbert allegedly pointed the rifle at the youngster and fired one round into the ground to prevent him from leaving when he refused to look inside the room.
The adolescent snatched the firearm away and escaped during the ensuing struggle. He dialed 911 right away.
Disturbing Discoveries
Officers on the scene discovered the firearm, ammunition, and a terrifying note written on the house’s wall: “My kids died by my hand.” I’m sick of people making fun of them. I’m leaving! I’m taking my kids with me.
Without resorting to more violence, police apprehended Delbert close to his ex-girlfriend’s house after using license plate readers to follow his car.
Motive and Confession
Delbert confessed to the murder while being questioned, telling an officer, “I’m not gonna lie, I did it, dude.”When he learned that his daughter’s body had been discovered by the police, he broke down.
He characterized himself as a depressed and resentful drinker. Detectives claim that Delbert claimed his brother had bullied him and his kids and that he thought his kids, especially Hope, would be better off dead than living in such conditions.
Investigators were informed by Delbert that his first plan was to murder all three of his children, including his eldest son, who is presently behind bars. He tried to prevent his youngest son from leaving the house, but in the end, he said he could not bring himself to murder him. Delbert allegedly attempted to turn the gun on himself when his kid escaped, but it did not discharge.
Legal Proceedings
At the county jail, Delbert is being held without bond. On September 3, he is expected to show up for a preliminary hearing.
The police chief praised several law enforcement agencies for their collaboration in apprehending Delbert and called the case a horrifying instance of family violence.
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