Platte shaken by murder-suicide that killed 6
Residents in the town of Platte are reeling after Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that a family of six thought to have died last week in a fire were victims of a murder-suicide.
According to Jackley's office, Nicole Westerhuis and her four children, Kailey, Jaeci, Connor and Michael, were shot and killed by a shotgun. Scott Westerhuis' death has been ruled a suicide, also by shotgun.
"Everyone's primary concern is our kids," Platte-Geddes school board member Tami Smit said Tuesday morning. Her two daughters, 10 and 13, were classmates of two of the Westerhuis children.
Steven Frey, owner of Little Brick Ice Cream, spoke with Michael Westerhuis the day before he died. He said high school students have come to him for solace.
Follow Megan Raposa's coverage from Platte in the Twitter feed. Story continues below.
Mid-Central Educational Cooperative, which employed Scott and Nicole Westerhuis, released this statement:
"Mid-Central Educational Cooperative is shocked and incredibly saddened to learn the tragic news about the Scott and Nicole Westerhuis family. Scott and Nicole were employed at Mid-Central Cooperative for over a decade.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the extended families of Scott and Nicole as they mourn the loss of children and grandchildren,” said Mid-Central Superintendent Dan Guericke. “We join the community of Platte as we grieve the loss of lives that will impact this community for the foreseeable future.”
On Monday night, Jackley said, "We have experienced the tragic loss of an entire family including young children that has affected an entire community. Based on evidence of foul play continuing to be uncovered, law enforcement remains committed to a complete and thorough investigation."The announcement was a blow to the tightknit community of about 1,200 after many thought the family had been lost to a tragic fire.
Mayor Steve Christensen, the former police chief, described Platte as a small town where everybody knew each other. Christensen had worked with Nicole Westerhuis when she was a finance officer, and he knew Scott Westerhuis and their children. They attended the same church.
Christensen met with community leaders late Monday after hearing news that the family had perished in a murder-suicide. The meeting included state and local law enforcement as well as officials and councilors from the school district.
"Any time you lose a family of six, there's going to be rumors," he said. "There's been rumors from day one. Is it a shock? Yes."
Christensen said that as police chief, he had never dealt with a similar situation.
Other residents of Platte expressed shock at the news.
"It's too soon (to comment)," said one man reached late Monday at Kuip's Lounge in Platte. "It's quite a shock to the community."
Another reached at Fergie's Pub and Barrister said he was awaiting more information. "I honestly don't know what to say."
The incident remained under investigation by state and local authorities. The investigation was keying on the circumstances surrounding the death of Scott Westerhuis, including interviews and forensic testing.
The fire was first reported at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday at 36705 279th St., three miles south of Platte, which is about 100 miles west of Sioux Falls.
"We at the Charles Mix County Sheriff's Office express our deepest sorrow to the families involved and to the Platte community," said Charles Mix County Sheriff Randy Thaler.
The Westerhuis family were active members of the First Reformed Church in Platte, according to Pastor Harry Koops, and all four children participated in the church youth group.
"Their family was inseparable," family friend Kristina Sprik said last week. "They did everything together."
The Westerhuis children participated in several activities including baseball, football, basketball, track, swim team, gymnastics and choir, Sprik said.
Hundreds of people turned out for a memorial service for the family Thursday night in Platte.
Argus 911:More crime and safety news atArgus911.com,@Argus911andon Facebook.