While neighbors and family members struggled to understand how a father could kill his wife, toddler son and himself, Paulding County investigators admittedly had few clues either.
Brian Miller, 41, his wife Kara, 29, and the couple’s 21-month-old son, Paxton, were found dead Sunday inside their Gilbert’s Way home, near Temple in western Paulding County. Investigators believe it was a murder-suicide, according to Cpl. Ashley Henson with the sheriff’s office.
“We may never know why he did it,” Henson said Monday.
Deputies were called to the Miller’s home after family members were unable to reach them. A neighbor, Britteny Buck, said friends tried unsuccessfully to reach Kara on Saturday when the family didn’t show up for a neighborhood birthday party. Kara, Buck said, had told neighbors she would be at the party and was looking forward to planning her own son’s birthday celebration.
“For this to happen was just bizarre,” Buck said. “It’s put fear into us.”
Buck said she had never met Brian, but she and Kara often got their children together for playdates. Kara Miller was a devoted mom and wife, and was friendly and giving, Buck said.
“She was super mom,” Buck said. “In my eyes, personally, I would like to be just like her.”
Brian Miller’s daughter from a previous marriage told Channel 2 Action News she was shocked to learn what investigators believe happened.
“They’re saying that my dad did it, but it doesn’t sound like my dad to do something like that,” Ashley Miller said. “I just want to make sure everybody knows he’s not that kind of person.”
Ashley Miller said her dad and stepmom just celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary and had a good marriage.
“That’s why I didn’t see it coming,” she said. “He’s very church-involved. He’s very religious. He’s a good dad and he didn’t deserve something like this.”
Burk said neighbors heard the couple arguing Friday night, and some believe the family of three died that night. She said the deaths have shocked those that knew the family.
“As far as Kara, there’s no better way to explain her than absolutely perfect,” Burk said. “She was the perfect wife. She was the perfect mother.”
The investigation into the three deaths continued late Monday.
— Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this report.
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