On May 12, 2024, 46-year-old Esteban Pope fatally shot a 2-year-old girl and a 32-year-old pregnant woman inside an East Anchorage duplex on the 2600 block of Easthaven Circle before fatally shooting himself in what police described as a domestic violence-related crime. The building was then intentionally set on fire. Two bodies were found initially on the day of the fire, and a third was discovered the next day. Police did not disclose the names of the woman or child, nor the specific relationship between Pope and the victims.
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 news article explicitly describes a firearm incident: "Esteban Pope shot and killed a 32-year-old pregnant woman and a 2-year-old girl before fatally shooting himself."
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 news article states that "detectives determined Esteban Pope shot and killed a 32-year-old pregnant woman and a 2-year-old girl before fatally shooting himself." The child suffered a fatal gunshot wound, which is an inflicted injury.
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 news article describes a clear murder-suicide: "detectives determined Esteban Pope shot and killed a 32-year-old pregnant woman and a 2-year-old girl before fatally shooting himself." Pope murdered two victims and then committed suicide by gunshot.
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 news article states that "Police said the crime was related to domestic violence" and that "A spokeswoman for the department did not answer additional questions, including how they may have been related." The domestic violence context in which a man killed a woman and 2-year-old child in a shared home suggests Pope may have been the biological father of the child, though the exact relationship was not disclosed. It is equally possible he was a paramour rather than the biological father.
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)?
The news article states that "Police said the crime was related to domestic violence" and that the specific relationship between Pope and the victims was not disclosed ("A spokeswoman for the department did not answer additional questions, including how they may have been related"). Pope may have been a male paramour (e.g., boyfriend or stepfather) of the mother rather than the child's biological father. The domestic violence context strongly suggests an intimate partner relationship of some type, but the exact nature is unknown.
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 news article explicitly states: "Police said the crime was related to domestic violence."
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 news article describes several notable details beyond what the preceding questions address. The 32-year-old woman was seven months pregnant at the time of her death, meaning an unborn child was also effectively killed. Additionally, the duplex fire was determined to have been "intentionally set," though police declined to confirm whether Pope was suspected of starting it. A neighbor in the adjoining duplex unit was displaced by the fire. The article also notes that three bodies were found—two initially on the day of the fire and a third the next day—raising questions about the circumstances of discovery.
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