Parents and Son Fatally Stabbed in Their Home Weeks After Celebrating 33rd Wedding Anniversary, Suspect Arrested

A family of three was tragically killed in their home in Ireland, just weeks after the couple celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary.

Mark and Louise O’Connor were identified as the couple who were stabbed to death in their Louth residence while caring for their adult special needs son, Evan O’Connor, who was also killed, according to reports from the Irish Times, the Irish Independent, and the BBC on Monday, Sept. 29.

Local authorities reported that Gardaí, Ireland’s national police force, arrested a man in his 30s in connection with the murders. His identity has not been released, and the motive remains unclear. It is not known whether the suspect has retained legal counsel.

PEOPLE did not immediately receive a response for comment from Garda Síochána.

Police reportedly arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 29, after a care worker discovered Mark O’Connor’s body near the front gates of the property, according to the Irish Independent. Evan was later found on the side of the house, while Louise was discovered in a room upstairs.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan stated there was no ongoing threat to the public following the “criminal act,” and authorities believe the suspect acted alone, the Irish Independent reported.

“I am conscious that it is a developing story and it is a sensitive issue but there is no further information I can put into the public domain at present,” he said in a statement obtained by the outlet. “I think further information will become available in due course.”

Minister O’Callaghan added, “What I can say and what gardaí have said is that they are not looking for anyone else in respect of this criminal act. There is no ongoing threat to the public in Co Louth.”

According to the Irish Times, Mark and Louise celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on Sept. 12. Mark shared a photo of himself and Louise on social media, writing that they were “still very much in love,” and the couple had recently paid off their home’s mortgage in June.

Both were in their 50s, and Evan was in his 20s. The Irish Independent reported that their son had autism.

The family’s home was sealed off as authorities investigated, with Gardaí stating that post-mortem examinations were scheduled at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda on Tuesday, Sept. 30, according to the BBC.

According to The Journal, Mark worked for the National Advocacy Service, supporting people with disabilities, while Louise was a qualified nurse who also taught English to Ukrainian residents living in Ireland.