3 dead after double murder-suicide at Lakewood Ranch home, Manatee deputies say
Manatee County detectives have determined that a Lakewood Ranch mother killed her two children before taking her own life inside their home Thursday night.
The sheriff’s office announced the finding Friday afternoon, hours announcing a death investigation following a welfare check at the home.
Deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. to a house in the 8200 block of Pavia Way at the request of the homeowner, who was out of town at the time. When deputies entered the home, they found the homeowner’s wife, son and daughter dead, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
In an update on Saturday morning, the sheriff’s office identified the deceased as 44-year-old Monika Rubacha, 14-year-old Josh James and 11-year-old Emma James.
All three had “sustained traumatic injuries,” the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives with the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit determined that Rubacha killed the two children in separate rooms before taking her own life, according to a news release. Investigators said they have found no evidence that anyone else was involved.
In its initial release Friday morning, the sheriff’s office said all parties had been accounted for and there was no threat to the community.
Detectives continue to review the circumstances leading up to the incident. The District 12 Medical Examiner will determine the official causes and manner of death.
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM.
