A disturbing wave of murder-suicides has struck the affluent coastal community of Santa Monica, California, leaving residents unsettled and authorities searching for answers. This spate of incidents marks a significant departure from recent years, as no similar incidents were reported in the area between 2020 and 2025.
The recent tragedies include the deaths of Jeremy Ferguson, director of operations for a Santa Monica nonprofit, and his wife, Mandy Zelinka. Police found the couple dead in their Venice, California home on November 5, 2026. Ferguson, a former mayor of Milwaukie, Oregon, and Zelinka, an entrepreneur and hairstylist, were prominent figures in the local community.
Another incident involved Aytac Camdeviren, who police said fatally shot his pregnant wife, Gul Erdogan, before turning the gun on himself. The couple resided in a multimillion-dollar home in a wealthy enclave in Westwood.
In a third case, Hendrik Rabitzsch and his wife, Nicole, were found deceased in their home, with police recovering a firearm at the scene. Nicole Rabitzsch, 47, had worked for nearly 13 years at an Audi dealership.
The concentration of these tragic events in a relatively short period within a community known for its wealth has fueled speculation about the factors contributing to these incidents. However, authorities have not yet released specific details or identified common causes for the surge in murder-suicides.