A grieving father whose wife killed three of her four children before taking her own life has defended her as he revealed that she had been battling post-partum depression.
Cliff Harshman’s wife Tranyelle, 32, fatally shot their two-year-old daughters Brooke and Jordan in the head in a horrific shooting spree on Monday in Byron, Wyoming.
She went on to shoot and kill his step-daughter Brailey, nine, while his other step-daughter, Olivia, seven, is fighting for her life in a Salt Lake City hospital.
‘I’m so angry. I don’t even know how to explain this to you. I’m so angry with her for the decision that was made,’ Cliff said in an interview with KTVQ.
But the grieving father urged the public not to rush to judgement, revealing that Tranyelle was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and post-partum depression.
‘People don’t understand how mental illness isn’t just a willpower thing. It’s chemical imbalances in your brain. It’s damaged pathways in your brain,’ Cliff said. ‘She was an incredible mom and she loved those kids.’
Quinn Blackmer, who is the father of Tranyelle’s two eldest daughters, also broke his silence following the horrific family tragedy.
‘I’m furious. I’m trying my hardest to bury that for a while and to focus on the now, because that anger isn’t going to bring my child back,’ he said.
Tranyelle Harshman, 32, shot the four children before turning the gun on herself, according to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office. Olivia, seven, survived but is said to be fighting for her life
The shootings are said to have taken place on Monday inside their home in Byron, with Harshman also shooting herself
A GoFundMe has since been set up to help widowed husband and father Cliff Harshman, seen here with two of the children, which as of Wednesday had raised more than $70,000
Quinn’s daughter Olivia is currently sedated to help alleviate swelling in her brain, but he said she has been semi-responsive to touch.
He added that he has barely left his daughter’s side, trying to care for her while he also mourns the loss of Brailey.
The shootings took place Monday in Cliff and Tranyelle’s home in Byron on Monday.
Tranywelle was rushed to a nearby hospital alongside her seven-year-old Olivia, with the mother dying from her self-inflicted injuries, local police said.
According to the sheriff’s office, authorities had been called to the residence to reports of gunshots inside a home.
The call had been made by a woman who told officers ‘her daughters had been shot’ and said she believed her children to be dead.
A 911 dispatcher was told that the girls were located in their cribs and that two of them were downstairs in their bedroom.
The woman also told the dispatcher that she could be found in her upstairs bedroom, and that she was planning to shoot herself.
The father of Olivia and Brailey, Quinn Blackmer, is pictured with his family
Olivia and Brailey pictured with their father Quinn and his wife. Brailey (L) was shot dead on Monday by her mother, while sister Olivia is said to be fighting for her life
‘The dispatcher pleaded with the female caller over the phone for the female caller to remain on the line until responding suits arrived,’ their press release added.
‘The female caller stated multiple times that she could not do that and that it was too late. Multiple attempts to keep her on the line failed and the call was disconnected.’
Officers arrived on the scene minutes later to find two of the young girls, a 2-year-old and the 9-year-old – named in a fundraiser as Brailey – dead with gunshot wounds to their heads.
They located the two other children, the 2-year-old and Olivia, who also had gunshot wounds to the head but were still alive.
Tranyelle was found in her bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head but was alive when cops moved in.
A short while after locating the surviving children, the 2-year-old died from her injuries.
Friends who knew Tranyelle also told KTVQ outlet that she had struggled with mental health problems, which included post-partum depression.
Briana Baker told the outlet: ‘You never know what someone is struggling with inside of their mind. Tranyelle was not the monster this tragedy makes her seem to be.
Friends who knew Tranyelle also told KTVQ outlet that she had struggled with mental health problems, which included post-partum depression. The family’s home is pictured
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Quinn and his wife Katelynn while Olivia remains in hospital with severe gunshot wounds
‘Her loved ones don’t want her to be remembered for her darkest moments. She was sweet, loving, and funny. Her children were her main focus in life.’
Former classmate Sage Miears added: ‘If she was really battling postpartum depression, that’s a serious thing. People needed to be there for her.’
Byron Mayor Allen Clark added: ‘When you’re in a small community like this, you know, everyone rubs shoulders with everyone.
‘It’s just devastating. I just hope and pray that the family can endure and hopefully brighter days ahead.’
Tranyelle shares two children with husband Cliff Harshman, the father of the two younger girls, and the two older kids with Quinn Blackmer, her ex-husband.
A GoFundMe has since been set up to help widowed husband and father Cliff Harshman, which as of Wednesday had raised more than $70,000.
A post to the fundraiser says: ‘Tragedy has struck, leaving us shattered and heartbroken.
‘Cliff Harshman, a devoted husband and father of four beautiful daughters, has suffered an unimaginable loss: the passing of 3 of his precious girls. 1 still fighting in salt lake, please pray for her.
‘This devastating event has left Cliff and his loved ones reeling in grief, struggling to come to terms with the immense void left in their lives.
‘The financial burden of funeral expenses, ongoing family support, and other related costs only adds to their pain.’
Speaking with Cowboy State Daily, Blackmer told the outlet: ‘I need the world praying for my baby [Olivia], I need her to pull through. I don’t have my (older) daughter [Brailey] anymore and this is all I have left.’
A separate GoFundMe has also been set up for Blackmer, which has so far raised more than $34,000.
The fundraiser says: ‘Olivia has suffered severe traumatic brain injury and is fighting hard for her life! She is in critical condition; the next few days will be crucial for her outcome.
‘We know Brailey is watching over her baby sister from the other side, helping her fight for her life!’
