A peaceful Pompano Beach neighborhood is reeling after a grisly discovery last week: an elderly father, his wife, and their adult son were found dead in what authorities are calling a double murder-suicide.
Police Find Three Dead in Florida Home
On the evening of March 19, deputies from the Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check at a single-story rental home on Northwest 27th Avenue. What they found was heartbreaking. Inside, 80-year-old James Sheridan was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His 71-year-old wife, Colleen Sheridan, and their 31-year-old son, Connor Sheridan, were also found shot to death.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the sheriff’s office, the bodies appeared to have been there for several days. A concerned neighbor had noticed the family’s two vehicles hadn’t moved and called police.
“From the start, something didn’t feel right,” said neighbor Lauren Goltz. “It was too quiet. I just hoped it wasn’t what I feared.”
A Family Known But Not Known Well
The Sheridans weren’t well-known in the community. They had been renting the home for about a year after relocating decades earlier from New York. Colleen and James were fixtures at the nearby St. Vincent thrift store, where they both worked part-time. Connor had recently begun a career in real estate.
Colleen, according to longtime friend Marie Alicata, was “a kind, soft-spoken woman with a heart full of love.”
“She adored Connor,” Alicata told local reporters. “That’s what makes this so painful. She lived for that boy.”
A handwritten note on the door of the thrift store read simply: “Closed until further notice.” It’s now become a quiet memorial site with candles and flowers from friends and customers who knew the couple.
No Clear Motive, But a Deep Loss
So far, authorities haven’t released a motive. The Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide and Crime Scene Units continue to investigate the case. No foul play beyond the apparent murder-suicide is suspected.
“It’s shocking,” said Anita Horten, another friend of the family. “I don’t understand it. I just hope someone can make sense of what happened.”
James Sheridan had no known criminal history. Neighbors say he appeared frail but independent, often seen tending to the yard or walking the family’s small dog. Some speculate declining health or mounting stress may have played a role.
Final Arrangements and Community Grief
St. Coleman Catholic Church is coordinating funeral services for Colleen and Connor. Community members are calling for increased support for mental health awareness, particularly among older adults.
“This isn’t just a tragic end for one family,” said Father Daniel Rojas, pastor of St. Coleman’s. “It’s a reminder that quiet suffering often goes unnoticed — and we must do better.”
As questions remain, a community is left searching for answers and grieving the loss of three lives once lived quietly, now remembered loudly.
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