Father Fatally Shot His Wife And Daughter At Their Bath Home Before Taking His Own Life
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the victims and suspect in a tragic shooting that occurred early Sunday morning at 10 Crawford Drive, Bath, Maine. The incident, which happened around 7 a.m., led local police to issue a brief shelter-in-place order for residents in the area.
According to a press release by Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine State Police, the victims have been identified as 58-year-old Lisa Bailey and her daughter, 32-year-old Jennifer Bailey, both of Bath. The suspected shooter was identified as 66-year-old Michael Bailey, Lisa's husband and Jennifer's father, also a resident of Bath. The horrifying details reveal that the shooting was a case of domestic violence that ended in a murder-suicide, devastating the small, tight-knit community.
Upon responding to the scene, officers from both the Bath and Brunswick police departments, along with deputies from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, discovered the two women suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Despite immediate efforts to save their lives, both women were pronounced dead at the scene.
A significant part of the initial response included the Maine State Police Tactical Team, which was called in after reports that the suspect had fled the scene following the shootings. After a brief period of uncertainty, the Tactical Team discovered Michael Bailey’s body inside the residence. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, confirming that the tragic event had come to a close.
Bath Police Chief Andrew Booth addressed the media around noon, explaining the decision to issue the shelter-in-place order. “The shelter-in-place was issued due to the uncertainty of the scene and what was going on," Booth said. "Once we determined everything was safe, we lifted that, and there’s no danger to the public.”
The order, issued for the northern part of Bath around 8:30 a.m., came in response to what was described as an unfolding "situation" on Crawford Drive. By 9 a.m., with the suspect located and confirmed dead, the order was lifted, and police assured the public there was no longer any danger.
Neighbors in the area were left shocked and grieving by the turn of events. Residents have reported being contacted by law enforcement during the response, a process that was crucial for ensuring public safety in the tense hours following the shootings. Many in Bath, a community of just over 8,000 people, knew the Bailey family, making the loss particularly heartbreaking.
The bodies of Lisa and Jennifer Bailey have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where autopsies will be conducted to confirm the exact cause of death. While the initial evidence points clearly to a double murder followed by suicide, investigators from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and the Bath Police Department are continuing their inquiries to understand more about what led to this tragic event.
Maine has seen a troubling rise in domestic violence-related incidents in recent years, with domestic violence being one of the leading causes of homicides in the state. According to data from the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, in 2023 alone, nearly 50% of all homicides were linked to domestic disputes. The tragic case of the Bailey family adds to this grim statistic and underscores the persistent challenges law enforcement and community services face in preventing such outcomes.
Bath, known for its historic charm and close-knit neighborhoods, is a town where violence of this nature is rare, making the incident all the more jarring for its residents. Local officials, including Chief Booth, have urged anyone who might be struggling with domestic issues to seek help, emphasizing the availability of support services to prevent further tragedies.
As the investigation continues, authorities are appealing to the public for any additional information that could shed light on the events leading up to the shootings. Meanwhile, grief counselors and victim support services have been made available to help those affected by the loss. In this difficult time, the Bath community is left grappling with the devastation and seeking ways to heal from the sorrow inflicted by this terrible incident.
The tragedy highlights the importance of addressing domestic violence and ensuring that individuals in troubled households have access to necessary support and interventions before such irreversible acts of violence occur.
