Woman Kills Kids, Herself Outside Ex-Boyfriend's House

"DE SOTO, MO — Authorities have identified a mother and her three young children who were found shot to death outside a rural home in De Soto.

"Sheriff Glenn Boyer said officers were called to a home in the area of Vineland Road and Wilson Hollow Road around 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

"Responding officers found three young girls deceased in a vehicle. Those girls have been identified as 22-month-old Faith Ehlen, Autumn Cochran, 10, and Alyssa Cochran, 11.

"The mother, Lisa Cochran, 32, was also found deceased near the front porch of the residence. All victims had suffered gunshot wounds to the head. Police found a 12-gauge shotgun adjacent to the mother's body.

"Officials said the estranged boyfriend of the mother lives on the property where the bodies were found. According to reports, the former boyfriend and Cochran are not allowed to have contact due to a restraining order filed by Cochran. Sheriff Boyer said the estranged boyfriend called authorities to report that Cochran's van was in his driveway when he arrived at his home early Thursday morning. The man said he did not approach the vehicle or the home, but instead, left the property and called police.

"Police later determined the caller was the father of the 22-month-old victim. He has been questioned by authorities, but Sheriff Boyer said he is not considered a suspect.

"Sheriff Boyer said after detectives reviewed the evidence, they determined that Cochran shot and killed her three daughters then turned the gun on herself."

From KMOV...