Florida Mother Discovers Children, Ex-Husband Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

A Florida mother discovered her two young children and their father dead on Wednesday afternoon in what authorities are calling an apparent murder-suicide. The grim discovery was made by Olivia Piccolo, 29, when she arrived at a home in Cocoa, Florida, to pick up her children for a custody handover.

Piccolo reported calling 911 around 12:40 p.m. after entering the home and finding the deceased. The Cocoa Police Department identified the father as Joseph Dingwall, who owned the home. Police believe Dingwall killed his two children, seven-year-old Remy and five-year-old Aria, before taking his own life.

According to officials, Piccolo told police that she had attempted to contact Dingwall earlier in the day, as it was her scheduled day to have the children, but received no response. She entered the home through an ajar front door and made the discovery.

Cocoa is located approximately 46 miles east of Orlando.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.