Stabbed While They Slept

"WAHOO, NE — The deaths of three rural Ithaca residents were due to murder-suicide.

"On Monday afternoon, Saunders County Attorney Scott Tingelhoff reported that Toni Hindman, 45, used a knife to kill both her daughter and her husband before turning the blade on herself.

"`We have conclusive evidence that all three victims died of knife wounds,` said Tingelhoff.

"The bodies of Hindman, her 47-year-old husband, Tim, and 12-year-old daughter, Ardena, were found in their rural Ithaca home on Feb. 20 by firefighters responding to a fire call at the home.

"According to Tingelhoff, final toxicology reports were still pending. However, he said enough corroborating evidence has been found to determine roughly what happened.

"Research logs on the family’s computer show that someone in the home had been researching medications for depression and methods of suicide.

"Additionally, purchase records showed that Toni Hindman had purchased the six-inch hunter’s filleting knife she used in the killings on Saturday, Feb. 19.

"Although he did not have a complete chronology of the incident, Tingelhoff said that the investigation has determined that all of the deaths occurred sometime between late Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday morning.

"Tingelhoff said that Timothy and Ardena Hindman were both killed in their beds. Toni Hindman then moved to the living room area of the home, where she appears to have intentionally set the fire. She then turned the knife on herself.

"No suicide note has been found. However, Tingelhoff said that interviews with family members indicated that Toni Hindman may have been depressed.

"While he was unaware of any immediate stressors, Tingelhoff noted that the couple did lose a three-year-old daughter, Jessica, to cancer about five years ago.

"`In talking with the family, that was a great loss,` said Tingelhoff."

From omahanewsstand.com...