On January 17, 2024, nine-year-old Scarlett Alarcon was fatally shot in the head by her mother, Andrea Alarcon (42), in a murder-suicide at the family's home on Lincrest Terrace in Union, New Jersey. Andrea also killed her husband Ruben Alarcon (51) and their younger daughter Emma (6) before turning the weapon on herself. The bodies were discovered by Union County Sheriff's Department officers who arrived to serve an eviction notice. The family's home had been foreclosed on by the bank and sold at a sheriff's sale; they had 60 days to vacate but had not left. The murder weapon was found near Andrea's body, leading investigators to conclude she was responsible.
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 medical examiner report (NJ_24_1264.pdf) states the cause of death as "Gunshot Wound of the Head." The NY Post article confirms the mother "fatally shot her husband, their two young daughters and then herself." The People article states investigators "found the murder weapon next to Andrea's body."
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 medical examiner report (NJ_24_1264.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Gunshot Wound of the Head" with manner "Homicide." The NY Post article states "Andrea Alarcon killed hubby Ruben Alarcon, 51, as well as daughters Scarlett, 9, and Emma, 6" by fatally shooting them. The child sustained an inflicted gunshot wound.
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 NY Post article headline and text explicitly describe the incident as a "murder-suicide," stating "A 42-year-old New Jersey mom fatally shot her husband, their two young daughters and then herself in a murder-suicide." The People article also characterizes it 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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
All sources confirm that Andrea Alarcon, the biological mother, was the perpetrator. The NY Post states: "Andrea Alarcon killed hubby Ruben Alarcon, 51, as well as daughters Scarlett, 9, and Emma, 6 before turning the weapon on herself." The People article states she "fatally shot her husband and children before shooting herself."
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 NY Post article states that investigators concluded "she was responsible for the deadly domestic violence, according to prosecutors." The murder-suicide is itself characterized as domestic violence by the Union County Prosecutor's Office. The People article also includes the National Domestic Violence Hotline information in connection with the case.
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
A significant contextual detail is the foreclosure and pending eviction. The NY Post article states: "just as their suburban home was being foreclosed on" and "Local sheriffs showed up at the home to serve an eviction notice around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when they found all four victims." The People article adds that "The home where the bodies were found was owned by the Alarcon family before it was foreclosed on by the bank" and was sold in a sheriff's sale. The family had lived there for 15 years and had 60 days to vacate. Additionally, the People article notes that neighbors said "The family had not been seen in their home recently" and "one neighbor said they were not aware there were children living in the house," suggesting social isolation. Police did not reveal a motive but the eviction/foreclosure context is a notable circumstantial factor.
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