A US border guard murdered his wife and two sons before turning his gun on himself, authorities say.
Ezequiel Almodovar, 39, shared an emotional message on Facebook about a family trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom before the alleged rampage.
He also left cryptic messages about ‘new beginnings’ and professed his love to his 38-year-old wife Marielis Soto, who he called ‘his queen’.
Deputies called in to the family home in Bithlo, east of Orlando, Florida at 3pm on Thursday after Almodovar didn’t show up to work.
The four family members hadn’t been since last week so officers decided to perform a welfare check.
When they entered they saw Almodovar and his wife shot dead, along with their sons Ezequiel ‘Zeke’ Almodovar, 16, and Gabriel Almodovar, 12.
Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in Miami and Tampa Diane Sabatino said it was ‘with heavy hearts’ that the CBP was investigating the ‘tragic deaths’.
It is not yet known why Almodovar could have gunned down his loved ones. He frequently posted heart emojis directed at his wife on Facebook and referred to her as ‘baby’.
On Valentine’s Day he shared a collage of photos of him and Marielis and shared a gushing message with 49 hear emojis.
He wrote: ‘Happy Valentine’s Day to my forever valentine!!!!!! Today is a day of love but theres not enough days for me to show you how much I love you and how much you mean to me today and everyday!!!! Youve always been there for me and I hope I can continue to show you the love you deserve mi amor..te amooooo forever and ever!!!!!’
The following day the border agent shared a picture of him and his wife hugging as they watched the skyline of Jacksonville, Florida. He wrote how he was ‘feeling fantastic’ and was looking forward to ‘new beginnings’.
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