WAVERLY, Tenn. — A quiet stretch of East Little Richland Road became the center of unimaginable grief after authorities say a young nurse killed three members of her own family before taking her life, leaving an entire community in shock.
Humphreys County sheriff’s deputies were called to the home Friday morning, January 2, to conduct a welfare check after concerns were raised by relatives. When deputies entered the house, they discovered four people dead inside. The scene, officials said, showed no signs of forced entry and no indication that anyone else was involved.
Investigators believe 32-year-old Heather Thompson, a nurse practitioner who worked at a nearby hospital, shot and killed her two sons, 4-year-old Arius Thompson and 13-year-old Isaiah Johnson. Authorities say her 88-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Johnson, was also fatally shot inside the home. Thompson then turned the gun on herself. All four deaths were caused by gunshot wounds.
Sheriff Chris Davis described the case as deeply troubling and said it has shaken even seasoned deputies. He confirmed that there were no known reports of domestic violence at the home and no prior mental health calls involving the family, adding that the lack of warning signs has made the tragedy even harder to understand.
As investigators worked the scene, news of the deaths spread quickly through Waverly, a small rural town where many residents know one another by name. Neighbors spoke quietly among themselves, struggling to reconcile the image of a caring medical professional with the horror that unfolded behind closed doors.
The boys’ father, Biah Thompson, later shared his grief publicly, writing that the loss of his sons had “shattered” his world. He said he wakes each day hoping the tragedy is not real. A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched to help cover funeral expenses and transport the children’s remains to New Mexico, where family members hope to lay them to rest.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office as the case remains under investigation. Officials have not released a motive and say they may never fully understand what led to the deadly chain of events.
In the days since, candles, flowers, and handwritten notes have appeared near the home, small signs of a community trying to comfort itself after a loss that feels too heavy to carry. Faith leaders and counselors have urged residents to lean on one another and to speak openly about grief and mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, help is available. In the United States, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 at any time.
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