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 2,896 days ago

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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.


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