A tragic incident occurred in Florida where a firefighter took his own life after allegedly killing his wife.
This event happened just weeks after she shared online about how his demanding work schedule left him so exhausted and unable to fully function at home.
St. John’s County Fire Rescue Lt. Shawn Yarbrough, 46, and his wife, Andrea Nichole Nahrup Yarbrough, 34, were found dead in their St. Augustine home earlier this month.
Police were alerted to the scene on June 13 after Andrea’s mother couldn’t reach her and requested a welfare check.
The sheriff’s department confirmed that Andrea’s death was a homicide while Shawn’s was a suicide.
Both died from gunshot wounds, according to the autopsy report.
Just two weeks before their deaths, on May 31, Andrea had vented on Facebook about her husband’s intense work schedule.
She posted the monthly activity logs for his department, which showed 3,203 calls for service, highlighting the toll it took on their family life.
The couple, who had just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, had a blended family of four children.
Andrea’s mother, Debbie Churchill, expressed the family’s deep sorrow.
She said that Andrea loved Shawn’s three sons from his previous relationship as if they were her own.
Andrea also had an 11-year-old daughter from a prior relationship.
Debbie Churchill spoke about Andrea’s love for her family, especially Shawn’s sons.
She said, “She loved those boys and wanted the best for them. It’s all very confusing and hard right now. I can’t explain it. I don’t even know how. It’s something that no one can understand unless they’ve been through it.”
Andrea’s younger sister, Olivia Marvin, also expressed her shock over the tragic incident.
She told local outlet Action Jax, “We are so crushed. We thought everything was finally coming together. She was so proud of all her children and what they were doing. She always strived and wanted the best for everyone.”
Marvin remembered her sister as a resilient fighter who meant the world to everyone in their family and everyone she encountered.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue Chief Sean McGee addressed the murder-suicide in a Facebook post, stating, “The recently reported events were unexpected, shocking, and tragic for all those affected. As a department, we are profoundly saddened by the loss of life, recognizing its enduring impact on the families and children of those affected.”
Suicides have long plagued emergency response departments across the country.
According to a report from the Ruderman Family Foundation, more first responders die from suicide than in the line of duty each year.
Andrea’s family has started a GoFundMe for her daughter, Lily, which has raised over $20,000 as of Monday morning.
The fundraiser’s organizers wrote, “She is a tender eleven years old, with her whole life still ahead of her.
Lily is suddenly and temporarily without the security of her mom, no health insurance, and, as of now, the family is unsure of any life insurance or benefits she may be entitled to.”
Lily and her dog, Marsh, will be moving in with her grandparents, according to the fundraiser.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available.
In New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling.
Outside the five boroughs, the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline is available at 988 or you can visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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