MAGNA, Utah (News4Utah) – Families need to notify the state if they suspect problems at a home.
State officials say steps like that may prevent drastic events like the murder-suicide in Magna over the weekend.
Karina Clark was found dead at her Magna home. But before killing herself, Unified Police said Clark shot her 9-year-old daughter, Madi.
“The family doesn’t really talk to Karina,” said her estranged son Gibson Clark.
And that may be why few in Karina Clark’s life knew about her problems. Her son said his mother was difficult to live with.
“She did this for years and years to us and I finally left the home at 14,” said Clark. “And my other siblings had to stay and Madi was born. And we all lived with my grandmother for a while.”
A church member left Christmas gifts on Clark’s doorstep. When they were still there a week later, police were called to do a welfare check. That’s when they found the bodies and a suicide note from Clark and Madi’s drawings.
“We found a lot of drawings that Madi made and a lot of them were sad and she’s talking about dying,” said Gibson.
He also said the suicide note claimed she was depressed after her boyfriend left her.
A spokesperson for the Division of Children and Family Services said for the children’s sake, family members and friends need to get involved.
“We rely on, every single person is a reporter,” said Ashley Sumner, a spokesperson for the Division of Children and Family Services. “Every single person has a responsibility.”
But that didn’t happen in Magna. State officials say a simple call can bring them to the front door.
“Our main concern is that children are safe in the now and in the long term,” said Sumner.
