Parents, adult son found dead in murder-suicide at Fair Lawn house fire

Authorities say three bodies found after a Fair Lawn house fire had been killed in a murder-suicide. Neighbors called 911 just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday to report fire and smoke coming out of a home

News 12 Staff

Jun 3, 2016, 2:33 AM

Updated 2,907 days ago

Share:

Parents, adult son found dead in murder-suicide at Fair Lawn house fire
Authorities say three bodies found after a Fair Lawn house fire had been killed in a murder-suicide.
Neighbors called 911 just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday to report fire and smoke coming out of a home on Fourth Street near Fair Lawn Avenue.
Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal identified the victims as 76-year-old Richard Tempe Sr., his 73-year-old wife Barbara, and their 53-year-old son Richard Jr. Authorities say that Richard Jr. shot his parents and then turned the gun on himself. Officials also say that the fire was intentionally set.
"I want to reassure members of the Fair Lawn Community and Bergen County that the matter is limited to a domestic event, we are not looking for other suspects," Grewal said Thursday.
Neighbors say that they were shocked to hear what happened.
"We always helped each other out, groceries, if they needed help bringing stuff in, we would," says neighbor Jannica Mendez. "It's really sad. Being there last night and watching it, it was upsetting and then to find out what happened. It's even more upsetting."
Other neighbors tell News 12 New Jersey that Richard Jr. worked at a candy store, and Richard Sr. was a custodian for the Fair Lawn Board of Education, but retired some time ago.


More from News 12
1:37
Tour de Elizabeth takes cyclists through New Jersey's fourth-largest city

Tour de Elizabeth takes cyclists through New Jersey's fourth-largest city

1:48
Pleasant Monday kicks off workweek warm up in New Jersey

Pleasant Monday kicks off workweek warm up in New Jersey

0:30
Coast Guard boards anchored shipping vessel in Manasquan; no violations

Coast Guard boards anchored shipping vessel in Manasquan; no violations

0:23
Police: Haddonfield man faces charges for arson, stalking and vandalism

Police: Haddonfield man faces charges for arson, stalking and vandalism

0:17
Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

1:42
Jersey Creators Market event in Jersey City brings street designers from all over Garden State

Jersey Creators Market event in Jersey City brings street designers from all over Garden State

1:45
 Missed swim lessons due to COVID-19 may be contributing to rise in child drownings

Missed swim lessons due to COVID-19 may be contributing to rise in child drownings

1:40
Red Bank's Broad Walk summer festival returns to downtown

Red Bank's Broad Walk summer festival returns to downtown

2:08
Residents get rid of junk during citywide ‘Love Newark, Keep It Clean’ campaign

Residents get rid of junk during citywide ‘Love Newark, Keep It Clean’ campaign

1:19
Bus catches fire on Garden State Parkway near Wall Township

Bus catches fire on Garden State Parkway near Wall Township

0:23
Prosecutor: Plainfield man sentenced to 5 years in prison for Bridgewater car crash

Prosecutor: Plainfield man sentenced to 5 years in prison for Bridgewater car crash

1:43
CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

0:31
Police: Jersey City man arrested following pursuit spanning 2 counties

Police: Jersey City man arrested following pursuit spanning 2 counties

2:37
‘We’re asking to fight.’ Parents, students call on officials to save Wayne Catholic school from closing

‘We’re asking to fight.’ Parents, students call on officials to save Wayne Catholic school from closing

2:05
36th Annual Belmar Seafood Festival to take place this weekend at Silver Lake Park

36th Annual Belmar Seafood Festival to take place this weekend at Silver Lake Park

0:25
Prosecutor: Human remains found in 1 of 3 cars submerged in Cooper River in Pennsauken

Prosecutor: Human remains found in 1 of 3 cars submerged in Cooper River in Pennsauken

0:18
Newark police seek public’s help identifying package thief

Newark police seek public’s help identifying package thief

0:21
Officials: 3 people, including 2 officers, injured in car crash in Jersey City

Officials: 3 people, including 2 officers, injured in car crash in Jersey City

0:41
Jersey Proud: Rowan College students hold fashion show at Cherry Hill Mall with their designs

Jersey Proud: Rowan College students hold fashion show at Cherry Hill Mall with their designs

2:26
First full week of Sen. Menendez’s federal corruption trial comes to a close

First full week of Sen. Menendez’s federal corruption trial comes to a close