The father of the Andover woman whose husband shot and killed her and their 12-year-old son before killing himself early Thursday morning told the Boston Globe he and other family members had rarely seen her or her family since the coronavirus pandemic.
“They went out and bought a big freezer and filled it with food, they hooked up the house with electrical generators,” Joseph Hachey told the newspaper. “No family meetings. I would ask my son, ‘Have you seen your sister?’ And he would say [jokingly], ‘Who?’ Linda went into hibernation’.”
Hachey and two uncles told the Globe Linda Robinson led a private life. Linda Robinson’s half brother, David Arsenault, described her “as angelic as they come,” while Hachey called his grandson “an angel.”
“He’s with his grandmother now,” Hachey said of his wife, who died in 2020.
Andrew Robinson, 56, shot and killed his wife Linda, 55, and his son Sebastion, 12, shortly after the 911 call was placed at 3:21 a.m. Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said police had not been called to the $2 million home before.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 9-8-8 or the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741 anytime.
According to a recording of dispatchers talking to officers on scene, a man’s voice yelling “Just kill me now!” could be heard on the 911 call. A man screaming in the background and things being smashed could also be heard.
St. John’s Prep in Danvers, where Sebastian was a sixth grader, canceled classes on Thursday and Friday and held a prayer service Thursday evening. Head of School Ed Hardiman called Sebastian a “gentle soul” and “extraordinarily creative.”
“Our community is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Sebastian,” Hardiman said shortly after the school identified him as a victim Thursday morning. “Sebastian was a wonderful young man. He was a kind and gentle presence, well-loved by his teachers.”
More coverage on Andover News:
- Schools Offer Resources To Discuss Andover Killings
- ‘Just kill me now’ Heard On 911 Call From Andover Home
- 12-Year-Old Killed In Andover Murder-Suicide Was A ‘Gentle Soul’
Andover Public Schools Superintendent Magda Parvey said Thursday the district was making counselors available to students and staff.
“We recognize the Andover community may have known the victims and this news may be difficult for our students and staff, Parvey said. “We encourage anyone who needs assistance as a result of today’s tragedy to reach out to a counselor or social worker in the coming days.”
Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, whose office is leading the investigation, urged anyone with mental health issues to contact his office for assistance in finding help. “This is a very good time to remind folks that if they are suffering from any mental health issues, any type of depression — services are out there,” he said.
Photo: Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and Andover Police Chief Paul Tucker address the media on Porter Road Thursday morning (Dave Copeland photo).