Francis Billotti Wood

Francis Billotti Wood was a 33-year-old married mother of three living in Middletown, Maryland, when her husband, Christopher Alan Wood killed her and the children on April 18, 2009.Washington Post: Grief, Questions Following Death of Maryland Family (April 19, 2009)

On April 21, 2009, investigators released information from preliminary investigations. Christopher Wood is believed to have killed the children and his wife on Thursday night, April 16, 2009, shooting them each multiple times in the head. After they were dead, Wood cut their throats. Analysis of Wood's computer, and the six notes Wood left behind, indicate that the family was $460,000 in debt, and Wood had been suffering from depression and anxiety.Washington Post: Suicide Notes Describe Soaring Debt in Middletown Deaths (April 21, 2009)

In a report released on April 21, 2009, authorities said that they believed that Christopher Wood shot each of his family dead on the night of April 16, 2009. He left six notes, one to each of his victims, one to his parents and sister, and one unaddressed note. In the notes he said that the family was deeply in debt and he was struggling with depression and anxiety. The investigation discovered medication in the household.Washington Post: Suicide Notes Describe Soaring Debt in Middletown Deaths (April 21, 2009)

In May of 2008, Christopher and Francie Billotti Wood and their three young children moved from their home in Jacksonville, Florida, to Middletown, Maryland, where Christopher had grown up. According to Francie Wood's blog "What Am I Supposed to Do Now?", the move was a job change for Christopher Wood, who would be living and working most of the week in New Jersey, while Francie and the kids lived near family in Maryland.Blogger: We Are Moving! (May 11, 2008)

What went wrong is unclear from news reports, but a little less than a year after their move, Francie, and her children Chandler, Gavin, and Fiona Wood were dead, killed by Christopher Wood who then killed himself.Washington Post: Grief, Questions Following Death of Maryland Family (April 19, 2009) CNN: Father's troubles emerge in investigation of family's slaying (April 18, 2009)

On the morning of April 18, 2009, Francie Wood's father went to the house because he hadn't heard from her in a few days and discovered the bodies. Police believe that Christopher Wood slashed his two boys to death and the shot his wife and daughter in the master bedroom before committing suicide.Washington Post: Grief, Questions Following Death of Maryland Family (April 19, 2009) CNN: Father's troubles emerge in investigation of family's slaying (April 18, 2009)