Rural Community Shocked By Apparent Double Murder Suicide

The Garvin County Sheriff said a volunteer firefighter and his two sons died in double murder suicide Saturday. Now members of the small, rural town of Foster said they are shocked by the loss of the well-respected man and his two twin boys.

Monday, March 7th 2011, 12:21 am

By: News 9


Jacqueline Sit, News 9

FOSTER, Oklahoma -- The Garvin County Sheriff said a volunteer firefighter and his two sons died in double murder suicide Saturday. Now members of the small, rural town of Foster said they are shocked by the loss of the well-respected man and his two twin boys.

Charred remains are all that's left behind after fast spreading flames destroyed a home in Foster Saturday morning. Investigators said they found the body of David Ables and his twin boys in what appears to be a double murder suicide.

"My heart will always been with those boys. They were my son's age," said Clinton Bowerman, family friend.

Bowerman used to babysit the 5-year-old twin boys, and when he discovered the children and his former boss and friend Ables died Saturday morning, he was in disbelief.

"I hate to see it happen, I mean it could happen to anyone, but I hate to see it happen to those boys. He's a good guy and he had to push his company. That's what he was there for, but I'd never see him do anything like this," Bowerman said.

Bowerman said he and his family had worked for Ables in his construction business. Ables was also a rancher who volunteered for the Pernell Volunteer Fire Department for eight years.

"He was a good father, he really was. You can tell he loved his boys with all his heart. I mean everything he did it was all about his boys," Bowerman said.

One of Ables' relatives called the Garvin County Sheriff's Office saying Able's had made threats on Facebook about harming his children. Court records showed Ables and his ex-wife had a divorce settlement Friday afternoon and another hearing was set for next month.

"No kids should ever have to go through that. People have differences and problem, but they shouldn't bring in their family. Don't let it affect your family. That's all I see," Bowerman said.

Many in the close knit community like Bowerman are now left wondering why this tragedy happened.

"He loved his boys a lot. I mean his boys were his whole life, you know? His boys and his wife, but I guess it just got to be too much for him," Bowerman said.

No word yet on what caused the fire at this time.

Investigators said the bodies were burned so badly, it will take the medical examiner a few days to get an official confirmation on the names of the victims.

It will take the OSBI and State Fire Marshall several weeks to finish their investigation.

Volunteer fire departments are helping the family with donations.

More: OSBI Agents, Deputies Investigating Possible Double Murder Suicide In Foster

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