Sheriff's Office confirms double murder suicide in rural Vernon County

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office has ruled the deaths of three people at a rural home just south of Nevada as a double-murder suicide. Sheriff Jason Mosher confirmed that his office responded to a 911 call placed by a family member. Responding emergency personnel pronounced all three people dead on scene.

Evidence indicates that Charles K. Besaw, 52, of Nevada, shot and killed his brother, Harold Besaw, 54, of California, and his mother, Fay F. Besaw, 77, of Nevada, before taking his own life.

Sheriff Jason Mosher said he called out the Southwest Missouri Case Squad Friday when he was notified of the incident.

"When the call first came in we didn't know what we would be dealing with or what had happened so I called out the Major Case Squad to make sure we had all the help we needed."

The Sheriff confirmed that a semi auto handgun belonging to Charles Besaw was used in the shootings and was recovered by his office.

Investigators believe the shooting took place between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, and the 911 call was placed on Friday, July 4, at 2:49 p.m. The Sheriff said the investigation did show an apparent motive to the shootings but would not specify as to what that motive was.

"It's a family matter and I am going to respect the family's wishes to keep it that way" said Mosher. The Sheriff also said he would not comment on who the family member was that called 911. "Our prayers are with the family members of the deceased during their time of grieving and I ask that the media and public respect their privacy during this time."

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