UPDATE 1/15/19 — The name of the suspect has been released. Michael David Wilkins, romantic partner to Krissy Orbon and father to Damian Wilkins, is suspected of killing Krissy and Damian then killing himself.
(For the full story scroll down)
UPDATE 4:30 p.m. — The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the mother and son who were killed by the boy’s father, near Willits yesterday, but they have not yet released the name of the man, who is believed to have shot them in an apparent murder-suicide. The two victims have been named as Krissy Lynn Orbon, a 32 year old woman from Willits, and Damian Michael Wilkins, an 8 year old boy from Willits.
The presumed killer, and romantic partner and father, has only been identified as 49 year old man from Willits; his name has not yet been released pending notification of his family.
Sources have told The Mendocino Voice that the couple may have been previously living in Lake County, and may have separated and then been re-united sometime recently.
Here’s the full text of the latest update from MCSO — the initial story is included below:
UPDATED PRESS RELEASE (01-11-2019) #2:
MCSO
On 01-11-2019 Sheriff’s Detectives were able to locate and notify the victim’s next of kin and as a result their identities are being released to the public.
The victims have been identified as being Krissy Lynn Orbon (32 year-old female from Willits, California) and Damian Michael Wilkins (8 year-old male from Willits, California).
Attempts are still being made to locate and notify the next of kin of the suspect (49 year-old male) and as a result his identity is being withheld at this time.
UPDATE 3:00 p.m. — Several readers have contacted us, asking which school the deceased boy attended, concerned he may have been in class with their own children. We understand the concerns of our readers and have endevoured to find out what we can. What we have confirmed with the respective administrations is that the boy was not enrolled in at a school in Willits Unified, Ukiah Unified, or the Willits Charter school.We have also heard that it is likely the boy was home schooled.This is a tragic situation and we want to clarify that we have sought and published this information in an attempt to provide information to readers who are concerned parents. As reporters we have to find facts, but as humans and members of the community our hearts go out to the family and friends and everyone affected by this terrible event.
UPDATE 11:38 a.m. — We have confirmed with both the Willits Unified School District and Willits Charter School, that the young boy killed by his farther in this tragedy did not attended either a Willits Unified school or the charter school.
ORIGINAL STORY
WILLITS, 1/11/19 — A 49 year old man from Willits killed his 32 year old romantic partner and their 8 year old son, before killing himself, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has determined. All three people are listed as being from Willits, but the their identities have not been released, pending notification of next-of-kin. The three bodies were discovered yesterday at a residence in the 5000 block of Hearst-Willits Road and authorities believe that the murders had occurred two to three days prior to the discovery, according to Captain Greg Van Patten of the MCSO.
The man and woman were romantically involved, and were parents to the boy, though it is not clear if they were married or in a current romantic situation. What is being reported by the authorities as certain, is that this man, 49 of Willits, shot and killed the woman and their child.
The gun used was stolen from a neighbor. That same neighbor then went, yesterday, to check on the family. When they saw a pool of blood through the window, called law enforcement to come do a welfare-check. Upon arriving, deputies saw the blood and entered the residence, discovering three dead bodies.
Detectives were then called to the scene and conducted an investigation, and this morning the MCSO issued a press release describing the situation as a murder-suicide.
A spokesperson for the Willits Unified School District has stated that the boy was not enrolled in that district. Eric Glassey, board chair of the two charter schools in Willits, confirmed that he was not enrolled in the charter school either.
The MCSO is asking for tips in this case, anyone with information can call the MCSO at 707-234-2100 or the WE-TIP anonymous crime reporting hotline at 800-732-7463.
Here is the full press release from the MCSO:
DATE: “January 11, 2019”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number:
2019-967
Crime/Incident:
Death Investigation – Suspicious Circumstances – UPDATE 01-11-2019
Location:
5000 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits, CA
Date of Incident:
01-10-2019
Time:
1:56 PM
Victim(s):
Female Adult (32 year-old from Willits, CA)
Male Child (8 year-old from Willits, CA)
Suspect(s):
Male Adult (49 year-old from Willits, CA)
Written By:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten #1184
Synopsis:
UPDATED PRESS RELEASE (01-11-2019):
Sheriff’s Detectives have concluded scene investigations which included interviews and collection of physical evidence at the residence located in the 5000 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits, California.
Sheriff’s Detectives were able to determine the incident was the result of a murder-suicide wherein a 49 year-old male killed a 32 year-old female and 8 year-old male before committing suicide.
The murder-suicide was accomplished by use of a firearm determined to be stolen during a burglary of a nearby neighbor’s residence (the caller requesting the welfare check).
The male adult and female adult were identified as having a romantic relationship to include being the biological parents of the male child.
The Sheriff’s Office has no documented domestic violence case involving the individuals outside of this specific case.
The identities of the deceased individuals are not being released at this time due to the pending notification of the next of kin. Forensic autopsies are scheduled for 01-15-2019.
Anyone who might have information that they think would be beneficial to Sheriff’s Detectives are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip-Line at 707-234-2100 or the WE-TIP anonymous crime reporting hotline at 800-732-7463.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE:
On 01-10-2019 at 1:56 PM the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a call from a concerned person asking for a welfare check at a residence located in the 5000 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits, California.
The caller arrived at the residence attempting to contact the person who was living at the location. When the person did not answer the door the caller looked through a window and noticed the presence of a large amount of blood on the floor, prompting the requested welfare check.
Deputies arrived at the residence and observed the blood on the floor as the caller had reported.
Deputies made entry into the residence where they located three deceased people and evidence suggesting the incident was homicide related.
Sheriff’s Detectives were summoned to the scene and are conducting further investigations into incident at this time with the assistance of investigators with the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office.
Updated information will be released via a press release when releasable information becomes available.
Approved by:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten #1184
