Crime

Woman killed two children, then herself in small Maine town, police say

Jennifer Barney, 37, died by suicide while Harmony, 11, and Hope West, 7, were killed. The sisters' school is hosting a vigil Sunday evening.

Sisters Harmony West, 11, and Hope West, 7, were victims of fatal domestic violence in Maine. (GoFundMe)

August 4, 2024

A mother ended her own life after allegedly killing her two daughters last weekend in their Maine home, officials said.

Jennifer Barney, 37, was found dead in her home in Mechanic Falls, Maine on July 27. Harmony West, 11, and Hope West, 7, were also found dead. Chief of Police Jeffrey Goss announced Aug. 1 that Barney died by suicide while Hope and Harmony were victims of homicide.

Police initially responded to their Highland Avenue home to check on a report of a stolen U-Haul truck. Goss wrote that Maine State Police would investigate the deaths, which is “standard protocols in cases like this.”

Officials did not say when the three people died.

An obituary identifies James Lee West, who died unexpectedly in 2019, as Barney’s husband and as the parents to Harmony and Hope. Officials did not confirm the connection between Barney and the girls.

The Boston Globe reported that the state’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner determined that one of the girls died from “multiple stab wounds” while the other was listed as “multiple injuries.” Barney’s cause of death is pending additional testing, the Globe reported.

Maine State Police did not return a request for an update in their investigation Sunday evening.

‘Our hearts have been shattered’

According to a GoFundMe for the girls’ funeral expenses, the sisters were born in Lewiston and lived in Mechanic Falls, a small town of less than 3,000 people about 10 miles outside of Lewiston.

The GoFundMe, set up by the girls’ uncle Dan Parrott, said Hope would have turned 7 on July 27, the day the family’s bodies were found.

“Harmony and Hope were the best of friends, and we are grateful they had each other in the challenges they faced in their young lives,” Parrott wrote. “Our hearts have been shattered by the tragedy of their passing.”

Parrott closed the fundraiser on Friday after it raised more than $10,000. He said the funeral services could be scheduled for mid-August, depending on police investigations.

Hope and Harmony both attended Elm Street School, according to the family’s GoFundMe, which is a part of Regional School Unit 16. Superintendent Amy Hediger wrote on Facebook warning families of information spreading on social media while Maine State Police continue their investigation.

“As we navigate through this difficult time, it’s important to acknowledge that everyone will respond differently. Emotions like shock, sadness, fear, and anger will come and go over the coming days, weeks, and months,” Hediger wrote.

The Elm Street School community hosted an open house on Tuesday for students and families to receive counseling and support, including staff to help families work through the loss with their children. The school announced on Friday that a vigil for Hope and Harmony will be held Sunday evening.