Robinson Suffering From Depression Before Andover Murder-Suicide: DA

SALEM, MA — The Essex County District Attorney's Office said it believes Andrew Robinson was suffering from depression in addition to physical health issues when he shot and killed his wife and son and then turned the gun on himself on Feb. 9 in the family's Andover home.

Robinson's mental and physical health issues were among the findings released Wednesday by the district attorney's office as part of its summary of the investigation into the murder-suicide, which resulted in the deaths of Linda Robinson, 55, Sebastian Robinson, 12, and Andrew Robinson,56.

The district attorney said the investigation was conducted by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to its office, detectives from the Andover Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The district attorney's office said that investigators learned from conversations with family and friends of the Robinsons that at the time of the murders, Andrew Robinson had been depressed and was having trouble sleeping. He also was seeking treatment for physical and mental health issues from medical professionals in the area.

Investigators learned that Robinson had been prescribed medication for his conditions. However, they said there had been no prior police responses at the family's Porter Road home.

"While we can never know everything going on inside someone's home or mind, we're absolutely clear domestic violence can't be tolerated for any reason, and that there's a mental health crisis in our country," Essex County DA Paul F. Tucker said.

Tucker continued: "Our office works daily to address each problem, and I urge those in need — and those who care about them — to reach out to us, the state government and outside groups for support. No one should feel alone as they cope with these problems."

Tucker's office said investigators believe Andrew Robinson shot and killed his wife and then his son before shooting himself.

At the scene, investigators recovered a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun, as well as spent casings and live rounds. A subsequent check confirmed the firearm had been purchased legally and was properly registered. Andrew Robinson had a license to carry that had expired over a year earlier, Feb. 1, 2022, according to records.

The district attorney's office also offered a timeline of events on the morning of Feb. 9.

According to authorities, at 3:09 a.m., the Andover Police Department received a 911 call from the Robinsons' residence that investigators believe was placed by Andrew Robinson.

On the call, a young male voice, believed to be that of Sebastian Robinson, could be heard shouting in the background.

The voices were difficult to understand, but dispatchers said loud smashing sounds could be heard. Investigators now believe those sounds were gunshots.

Authorities said that officers were dispatched to the home at 3:10 a.m. and that the first officers arrived at the scene at 3:18 a.m.

According to investigators, the officers received no response at the front door. They went around to the rear of the home and looked through a sliding-glass door, where they observed a woman lying on the floor with apparent injuries.

At that point, authorities said, officers decided to make a forced entry into the home.

After entry, officers found the body of Andrew Robinson in the family room. He was dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and a gun was found nearby, investigators said.

Investigators said officers also found Sebastian Robinson deceased on the kitchen floor from gunshots. Linda Robinson's body, which had been observed through the sliding-glass door, was found in a hallway off the kitchen. She too was dead from gunshots.

"Unfortunately, we will never have all the answers of why this horrendous incident occurred. However, some of the 'why' has been answered, and we hope it provides some closure for the extended family and everyone else affected," Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said referring to Andrew Robinson's mental health struggles.

In a release containing the findings of the investigation, the district attorney's office also included resources relating to domestic violence and mental health matters.

Massachusetts has multilingual, toll-free, statewide, 24/7 domestic violence hotlines: SafeLink, 877-785-2020; HAWC, 1-800-547-1649; YWCA, 844-372-9922; and the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, 978-388-1888.

Additionally, if you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, the district attorney's office recommends calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (or 1-800-273-8255) to connect with a trained counselor.