Pa. Family Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

LANDENBERG, Pa. -- A family of four found dead in their home were apparently the victims of murder-suicide committed by the father, who had been on leave from his job as a school guidance counselor, police said.

State troopers found the bodies of Davis Weaver, 61, and his family inside the family's southern Chester County home at around 9 p.m. Thursday after neighbors called to say they had not heard from them for some time. All had been shot to death with a revolver, police said.

Also found were Nancy Weaver, 51; Matthew Weaver, 21; and Mark Weaver, 18, who had been scheduled to graduate Sunday from St. Mark's High School in Wilmington, Del., police said.

"Each (victim) was found in their respective beds and there were no signs of struggle," said state police Trooper Corey Monthei of the Avondale barracks. Police said Davis Weaver was found in bed with his wife.

Outside the large home on Friday, plastic pots of flowering liriope, verbena and coral bells were lined up near a tree, waiting to be planted in the garden, and an unread newspaper from Thursday lay on the ground. In front of the house, a basketball hoop stood in the driveway and a basketball sat on the porch; in back, the kitchen window looked out over tranquil woods just yards away.

The house is close to neighbors in the quiet, upper-middle class neighborhood but shaded by many tall trees.

Gary Benasutti, 40, who lives three doors down from the Weavers, said he had only met the family once in the three years he has lived on the street, at a neighbor's graduation party. Otherwise, he would wave to Davis Weaver, who spent hours working in the garden.

"They were very quiet people," he said. "I was shocked."

Monthei said investigators had not immediately determined a motive, but said he was not aware of a history of domestic violence that would have brought police to the home or disciplinary problems with the children.

"Everything I understand about the boys, they were good kids," Monthei said. "They had a lot to look forward to."

Davis Weaver was a guidance counselor at Stubbs School, an elementary school in Wilmington, said school secretary Paula Booker. He worked there for 37 years but went on leave in March, she said. She declined to say why he was on leave.

"You can imagine, the staff that has been here quite awhile is very much in shock," she said.

Matthew Weaver graduated from St. Mark's in 2003 and was attending the University of Maryland, said St. Mark's principal Mark John Freund. Mark Weaver planned to attend the U.S. Naval Academy next year, Freund said.

Freund on Friday described both young men as talented and well-liked students. Mark was a varsity football player, swimmer and runner, had been elected to the student government and was an honor student.

"I remember mom and dad as being interested" in the boys' lives, Freund said. "But in terms of issues with which they had to deal, the boys were both outstanding in just about every way."

Phones rang busy at Delaware's Christina School District headquarters Friday afternoon. Davis' school is part of the district and acquaintances said Nancy Weaver worked at another school in the district.

An investigation was continuing and autopsies were scheduled for later Friday. Monthei said it was unclear when the last time was family members were seen alive. Freund said he saw the brothers at a baccalaureate liturgy Wednesday night.

The family's home was in London Britain Township, about 35 miles southwest of Philadelphia. The family had lived at the home for 16 years, Monthei said.