Crime & Safety
Police: Suicide Unlikely in Shooting Death of Teen From Ballwin School
Autopsy results show Ainsley Freeman and her mother, Amy Freeman Burton, were shot in the head. Both previously attended the Parkway School District.
Police said former student, 13-year-old Ainsley Freeman most likely did not shoot herself.
Initial autopsy results show that Ainsley and her mom, 37-year-old Amy Freeman Burton, each died from one gunshot to the head.
Although the official report is not yet available, and results are not yet conclusive, "evidence does suggest that Ainsley did not likely shoot herself," Lt. Jeff Bretzing said in a press release.
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Both Freeman Burton and her daughter Ainsley were found shot to death in their San Francisco area home Monday. They had reportedly moved there from the St. Louis area in December.
spokesperson Cathy Kelly confirms both mother and daughter attended Parkway schools. Kelly stated in an email to Patch that Amy Freeman Burton graduated fromin 1993 and Ainsley Freeman attended in Ballwin "on and off from kindergarten through fifth grade."
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reportedly found the victims and called police Monday. Investigators said Burton is not a suspect, but he is a "person of interest" as they try to determine if this is a double murder or a murder-suicide. According to police, he gave a full statement and is cooperating in the investigation. Burton is Ainsley's stepfather.
There have been no arrests, nor is there a clear motive, but police have said they do not believe a killer is on the loose.
It is still unclear whether Freeman Burton's wound was self-inflicted, but that is not being ruled out, Bretzing said.
The bullets recovered are consistent with those found in the handgun that was located near the victims. Pending lab results are needed to confirm whether that weapon was actually involved.
The lab results regarding the firearm and other key evidence is not expected to be available until sometime next week.
"Until that time, we are unable to determine the exact nature of the shootings and investigators will continue to follow up on all leads," Bretzing said.
So far two Facebook pages have been created in Ainsley's memory: RipAinsleyFreeman and AinsleyFreemanneverforgotten.
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