GRESHAM, Ore.—An Oregon mother fatally shot her children, ages 6 and 8, before killing herself, police said, and court documents show the woman was headed to trial next month in a bitter and lengthy custody dispute with her ex-partner.
The mother who killed herself, Ashley Palmer, 31, had petitioned the court at least twice on an emergency basis for full custody of the children, citing her ex-partner’s instability and a gun in the home, and said she herself had financial problems and mounting debt, according to court documents.
Her ex-partner, Jenavie Palmer, was scheduled to get the children on Tuesday, the day they were found dead, after several weeks without a visit.
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