A routine welfare check at a large New Jersey home turned into a devastating discovery after officers were unable to reach the family living inside. David Grodnick, 61, his wife Lora, 62, and their 24-year-old daughter, Sloane, were found dead at their Montgomery Township property on October 2, 2026. The disturbing sequence began days earlier, when a residential alarm reportedly alerted authorities to the home after a glass break was reported. Concern grew when a large amount of mail accumulated and the family stopped responding to calls and messages. Officers were asked to conduct a welfare check on October 1, but they could not locate anyone inside. Nearly 27 hours later, police finally entered the 6,060-square-foot residence and discovered all three family members dead.
Investigators later determined that Lora and Sloane had been victims of homicide, while David’s death was ruled a suicide. Authorities said David fatally shot his wife and daughter before turning the gun on himself, and officials stated that the incident appeared to be isolated with no continuing danger to the public. The case has drawn attention not only because of the tragic deaths, but also because of the family’s background. David was an attorney and senior vice president and underwriting counsel for Land Services USA, working in commercial real estate insurance. The property itself had changed hands within the family months earlier, after David transferred ownership to Lora in March. Their daughter Sloane was pursuing a master’s degree at the Rhode Island School of Design and had previously been recognized as a child for organizing donations for an abused girl. Her life, education, and early act of compassion added another heartbreaking dimension to a tragedy that investigators continue to examine.