WAVERLY, Tenn. — A quiet Friday morning in this close‑knit Humphreys County town turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when four members of the same family were found dead inside their home on East Little Richland Road. The discovery has sent ripples through the local community as neighbors try to process the loss of lives they knew so well.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said deputies were called to the residence early Friday for a welfare check, though he did not disclose who made the call. When officers entered the home, they discovered four bodies — all family members — each suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims have now been identified as 4‑year‑old Arius Thompson, 13‑year‑old Isaiah Thompson and 88‑year‑old Evelyn Johnson. Also found dead was 32‑year‑old Heather Thompson. All were lifelong residents of Humphreys County, Davis confirmed, intensifying the pain felt across the community.
According to the sheriff’s preliminary investigation, evidence suggests that Heather Thompson shot the other three victims before turning the weapon on herself. Officials have not released further information on a motive and stress that the investigation remains active as they work to understand what led to this tragic sequence of events.
Sheriff Davis, visibly emotional during a press briefing, shared how deeply the incident has affected him personally. “Here again, small town America. Here again, I know the families,” he said. “We’re going to do right by them. We’re going to respect them.” His remarks reflected the heavy sense of loss felt by law enforcement and residents alike.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office as detectives piece together the final hours leading up to the deaths. Investigators have stressed that there is no known threat to the public at this time and that they do not believe anyone outside the home was involved.
Neighbors described their shock at the discovery. Many spoke of a usually peaceful street where neighbors watched out for one another. Now, friends and loved ones are left grieving, coming together in the aftermath to support each other and honor the memories of those lost too soon.
