Phoenix Tragedy: Mother Fatally Shoots Husband Then Herself as Children Slept
A devastating incident in Phoenix, Arizona, has left a community in mourning after a woman fatally shot her husband before turning the gun on herself while their two young children slept in the home. The couple, identified as Celestina Ertebati, 42, and Sam Ertebati, 42, were found deceased in their bedroom on Bell Road this past Sunday, with a firearm discovered nearby.
Children's Heartbreaking Discovery
The tragic events came to light when the couple's children, whose ages have not been disclosed by authorities, grew concerned after their parents failed to wake up in the morning. Confused and worried, the youngsters contacted a family member, who subsequently arrived at the residence and discovered the unresponsive pair in their bedroom.
Phoenix Police Sergeant Jen Zak confirmed that officers responded to the scene just after 5 p.m. following the distressing discovery. Preliminary investigations indicate that Celestina shot Sam before taking her own life, according to an official police press release. The statement emphasised that no other individuals were harmed during the incident, but the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under active investigation.
A Marriage and Family Shattered
The Ertebatis had reportedly been married for sixteen years, a union now ended in unimaginable tragedy. Friends, family, and neighbours have begun to share tributes, painting a picture of a family deeply embedded in their local community. Sam Erteati, in particular, has been described in heartfelt online memorials as a devoted father, a kind friend, and a generous spirit.
One tribute described him as a "son, a friend, a confidant and a soul whose life mattered deeply," noting his ability to "light up a room" and make people feel valued. A close friend posted on social media, recalling Sam as "my brother, my best friend" and an "amazing, kind hearted and loving" father who always had food prepared for his family. The friend added, "Those boys are everything to you and I know you'll be protecting all of us from heaven."
Community in Mourning
The shockwaves from the event have rippled through the neighbourhood. Neighbours told reporters that the family's home on Bell Road was often a hub of activity, largely due to a basketball hoop in their driveway that was the most frequently used on the entire block. Children would regularly gather there to play with the Ertebati children, making the sudden silence and the memorial now sprouting outside the home all the more poignant.
Online, an outpouring of grief and disbelief has followed. Friends described Sam as "an amazing person," "so nice," and "super cool," often mentioning his distinctive "goofy laugh." One commenter simply stated, "He definitely didn't deserve this," capturing the sense of injustice felt by many. Another mourner wrote, "I'm so saddened. Sam was a good man... I pray for his parents and the boys."
As the police investigation continues to piece together the events that led to this fatal domestic violence incident, the family's young children are left to grapple with a loss that defies understanding. The community now faces the difficult task of supporting them while mourning the sudden and violent end of a marriage that, from the outside, appeared to be a cornerstone of their street.
