A tragic incident unfolded in Florida as a firefighter, Shawn Yarbrough, fatally shot his wife, Andrea Nichole Nahrup Yarbrough, before taking his own life in a murder-suicide. This devastating event occurred just weeks after Andrea expressed concerns online about the toll of her husband’s demanding work schedule on their family life.
The St. John’s County Fire Rescue Lt. and his wife were found deceased in their St. Augustine home, with Andrea’s death being classified as a homicide and Shawn’s as suicide, both from gunshot wounds, according to the sheriff’s department.
Prior to the tragic event on June 13, police responded to a welfare check requested by Andrea’s mother when she was unable to reach her daughter. The couple, who had just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, left behind a blended family of four children.
Andrea’s mother, Debbie Churchill, shared that Andrea cared deeply for her husband’s three sons, treating them as her own, in addition to her own 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
Just two weeks before the tragic events, Andrea had taken to Facebook to highlight the toll of her husband’s work schedule, which included a staggering 3,203 calls for service in a month. She expressed how this demanding schedule left their significant others exhausted and unable to function at full capacity at home.
Andrea’s younger sister, Olivia Marvin, expressed shock and devastation over the incident, remembering her sister as a resilient fighter who always strived for the best for her family and children.
Chief Sean McGee of St. Johns County Fire Rescue also addressed the tragedy, acknowledging its profound impact on all those affected and emphasizing the department’s sadness over the loss of life.
Following the devastating incident, Andrea’s family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support her daughter, Lily, who is now without her mother’s security and in need of assistance.
Lily and her dog, Marsh, will be moving in with her grandparents as the family navigates this difficult time. The fundraiser has already raised over $20,000 to support Lily’s future.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the mental health challenges faced by emergency responders, with more first responders dying from suicide than in the line of duty each year, according to reports.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help. In New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. Outside the city, dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
