The LAPD reports that 30-year-old Marine Basmajian allegedly shot her husband, 31-year-old Khajag Basmajia, and their two children — a 2-year-old son and a six-day-old daughter — inside a North Hills home on May 27 before killing herself. The family had been staying at Khajag's parents' house after repeated burglaries at their Winnetka residence. Relatives said the household had celebrated the newborn the night before; some family members suspect severe postpartum psychosis. The LAPD is continuing its investigation.
North Hills Tragedy: Mother Allegedly Killed Husband and Two Children After Newborn Celebration
The Los Angeles Police Department says 30-year-old Marine Basmajian fatally shot her husband and two children before taking her own life inside a North Hills home on the evening of May 27.
Khajag Basmajian carrying his son, Alec, with his wife, Marine Basmajian, standing next to them. Jam Press/GoFundME
According to police and family members, the deaths occurred just before 8 p.m. on Londelius Street. Reports identify the husband as 31-year-old Khajag Basmajia and the children as 2-year-old Alec and a six-day-old daughter, Ella. Relatives told reporters Marine then turned the firearm on herself.
Authorities say a mother fatally shot her husband and two young children before taking her own life in North Hills. Jam Press/GoFundME
The household had recently been staying at Khajag’s parents’ residence in North Hills after their Winnetka home was reportedly burglarized twice over the past two years. Family members said the break-ins left Marine especially anxious, and that Khajag purchased a handgun for protection after the first burglary — the same weapon relatives say was used in the killings.
Baby Ella sleeping in a pink outfit with a bottle next to her. Jam Press/Márquez Rios
What has compounded the family's shock is that the night before the killings, relatives say the household had gathered to celebrate the birth of baby Ella. The evening, described by family as joyful, reportedly included music, pizza and dancing.
The tragedy unfolded in a home tied to Khajag’s parents. NBCLA
“They were all at the family house and they were dancing, eating pizza, listening to music. The family is very close,” said Arthur Shamlyan, Marine’s brother, in comments to the Daily Mail.
Possible Causes And Ongoing Investigation
In the aftermath, relatives and neighbors have struggled to understand why the killings occurred. Some family members suggested Marine may have been experiencing severe postpartum psychosis, a rare but serious condition that can follow childbirth and cause hallucinations, delusions, confusion and dramatic mood changes. Arthur Shamlyan told reporters, “Postpartum depression is the only thing that we can think of because what she did was not like her.”
The Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Authorities have not announced an official motive and have asked anyone with information related to the case to contact investigators.
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