Five children were orphaned days before Christmas after their father shot their mother before turning the gun on himself in a suspected suicide attempt.
Local handyman Blase Raia, 39, and his wife Brooke Raia, 34, were found amid a bloody scene at their home near Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday evening.
Logan Township Police Chief Dave Hoover told Altoona Mirror officials that Blase shot his wife in the head with a pistol after a “domestic dispute” in the basement of their home in the 600 block of South Dartmouth Lane.
Four of the children were at home at the time of the incident and a fifth returned shortly afterwards. The police were called around 7:30 p.m.
State police arrived and took photos of the scene, which they turned over to Logan Township police, Hoover said. The coroner's office removed the couple's bodies that same evening.
Five children were orphaned days before Christmas after their father, Blase Raia, shot and killed their mother, Brooke Raia, formerly Zimmerman, before turning the gun on himself in a suspected suicide attempt. (Pictured: a family photo shared at a fundraiser for the children)
Logan Township Police Chief Dave Hoover told Altoona Mirror officials that Blase shot his wife in the head with a pistol after a “domestic argument” in the basement of their home in the 600 block of South Dartmouth Lane (pictured).
Police were called to the family's home in Altoona, central Pennsylvania, on Tuesday evening
Logan officers interviewed the minor children as well as others who interacted with the couple in the hours before their deaths.
“We’re trying to back down — fill the day,” Hoover said, adding that police have not yet completely ruled out the possibility of third-party involvement. “We’re trying to figure out a motive.”
Brooke Raia, formerly Zimmerman, was a caring mother who worked two jobs to support her children, according to her obituary. She managed a local chiropractor's office and also worked shifts at an Amazon warehouse.
“Brooke loved spending time with family, especially her boys Kamden and Easton, and also played in alumni basketball games with her former Blue Pirate teammates, known as “The Bad Moms Club,” the statement said Tribute to Bolger Funeral Home.
“She also enjoyed vacationing with her family. Some of her favorite places were the beach, the Caribbean and a trip to Atlanta to see the Braves.”
Blase worked as a machinist gang leader at Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop and enjoyed motorcycles, drag racing, hunting, bowling and spending time with his children, his obituary said.
Jim Patterson, a former colleague, told the Altoona Mirror that Blase was a “nice guy” and “a good worker.” “He seemed very popular with his colleagues,” Patterson said.
“My prayers and thoughts go out to the survivors – the children and the parents.”
Local handyman Blase Raia, 39, worked as a machinist gang leader at Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop and enjoyed motorcycles, drag racing, hunting, bowling and spending time with his children, his obituary said
Brooke Raia, formerly Zimmerman, was a caring mother who worked two jobs to support her children, according to her obituary. She managed a local chiropractor's office and also worked shifts at an Amazon warehouse
Logan officers interviewed the minor children as well as others who interacted with the couple in the hours before their deaths
Another friend of Blase's, Donny Algieri, said they used to drag race together and he created a GoFundMe page for the five children that has raised nearly $60,000.
Along with the fundraiser, a family photo was shared showing the Raia couple smiling together surrounded by their five children on the beach.
“I am organizing this collection for Blase and Brooke’s five children who tragically lost both parents five days before Christmas,” the fundraiser states.
“While I’m sure Christmas is the last thing on their minds, they deserve our support, but they need to know that both the racing community and their family are behind them.”
“Help me let these kids know that we are here for them. “I know times are difficult for people, especially this time of year, but anything will help.”
According to the Altoona Mirror, Brooke also came from a racing family, and her father was a well-known motorcycle racer who became an announcer at a regional race track.
Blair County Children, Youth and Family Services placed the children with other family members, Hoover said.