On or around August 1-2, 2022, Donovan Ramirez, 45, fatally shot his wife Stephanie Ramirez (39), adult stepdaughter Alyssa Berumen (22), and his two minor daughters Sunny Ramirez (11) and Shelby Rose Ramirez (7) with gunshot wounds to the head while they were in their respective rooms on the second floor of their home in the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Florida. He then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The family, which had recently moved from out of state, was discovered on August 2, 2022, after the adult daughter's boyfriend was unable to reach her and contacted police for a wellbeing check. An initial wellbeing check was directed to the family's old address before a second call with the correct address led to the discovery. The case was investigated and closed as a murder-suicide. The family had no prior history with child protective services.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The fatality report states: "All the family members had gunshot wounds to the head." The cause of death for Shelby Ramirez is listed as "Gunshot Wound of Head." The news article confirms: "A firearm was found at the scene."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states: "All the family members had gunshot wounds to the head and the father had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head." The father inflicted gunshot injuries on all family members, including the children. The cause of death for Shelby Ramirez is listed as "Gunshot Wound of Head" with manner of death "Homicide."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
The fatality report states: "The Orlando Police Department investigated the deaths of Shelby and Sunny Ramirez (2022-265496). Their investigation was closed as a murder/suicide." Donovan Ramirez's manner of death was ruled "Suicide" and all other family members' manner of death was ruled "Homicide." The news article headline also identifies this as a murder-suicide.
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The fatality report identifies Donovan Ramirez, 45, as the "Father" in the family composition chart. The verified findings state "Donovan Ramirez as the caregiver responsible" for the deaths. The news article identifies him as "The father, Donovan Michael Ramirez, 45, has been identified as the suspect." His manner of death was ruled "Suicide" while all family members' deaths were ruled "Homicide" from gunshot wounds, establishing him as the perpetrator in this murder-suicide.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report includes an allegation of "Household Violence Threatens Child" in the intake, though this finding was "Not Substantiated" as a separate CPS finding. However, the murder-suicide itself — in which the father shot and killed his wife, adult stepdaughter, and two minor daughters before killing himself — constitutes an extreme act of domestic/family violence. The news article further contextualizes this by providing domestic violence resources, including Harbor House of Central Florida and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The fatality report describes a notable delay in the discovery of the family: "The initial call to law enforcement contained the family's old address and OPD did not make any contact. Another wellbeing call came in with the correct address where OPD officers then found the entire family deceased." This incorrect-address issue delayed the wellbeing check. Additionally, the news article reports that neighbors noted the family had recently moved from out of state and the home had been "unusually quiet for days," and the fatality report confirms the family had no prior CPS involvement: "The family did not have any prior abuse report history" and "The family did not have any open services." The father's last day at work was July 27, 2022, meaning the family may have been deceased for several days before discovery on August 2, 2022.
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