Photo from Greta Kurian’s Facebook page.
UPDATE | The family of 22-year-old Greta Kurian, killed after being shot in an apparent murder-suicide involving her husband, 25-year-old South Gate Police Officer Kyle Kurian, is raising money to create a trust fund ensuring the couple’s children can attend college.
Greta was found dead and Kyle wounded in their Long Beach condominium near Wilson High School Monday evening, with gunshots to both of their upper torsos. Greta was declared dead at the scene, while her husband was transported to a local hospital, where he died early Tuesday morning.
A friend of the family told the Post they believe Kyle murdered Greta, but police have yet to publicly identify the suspected individual behind the murder-suicide.
Their two children—a toddler and infant—were found unharmed in the building and taken into protective custody by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services Monday night, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
“Greta was a beautiful young woman who wanted nothing more than for her children to grow up to receive the best education possible,” states the GoFundMe page. “Due to the tragedy that happened in the family, Greta will not be able to make her dream a reality. But we, her friends and family, can! Even if all you have to give is something small, know that you are making a difference in these girls’ lives.”
The GoFundMe had raised $6,000 of its $20,000 goal as of noon on Wednesday.
Friends of Kurian’s said they were in shock.
“She was a really nice, polite person—she always had a smile on her face,” said Cornell Herg, one of her Calvary High School classmates. “Her husband seemed like a chill person as well; they seemed really happy and we didn’t see any signs of domestic violence. That’s why we were surprised.”
“Greta was such a sweet and genuine person,” said Ashley Estebo, a high school classmate and friend of the Kurans. “Her smile and laughter were contagious. She was a wonderful mother to her two beautiful children, a joy to be around and a loyal friend. She will be dearly missed by all of those who were blessed to know her. My prayers are with her family and those beautiful little girls.”
To donate to Kaylee and Lilah’s education fund, click here.
Above, left: Photo from GoFundMe site.
PREVIOUSLY: South Gate Police Officer, Wife Die After Apparent Murder-Suicide in Long Beach Monday Night
On 11/23/2016 at 12:54PM | A young married couple died of gunshot wounds at their condominium in Long Beach Monday night in what authorities are investigating as a possible murder-suicide.
Their children—a toddler and an infant—were also found in the residence, unharmed, and taken into protective custody by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) units were dispatched to the 1000 block of Park Avenue, near Woodrow Wilson High School at around 9:55PM on a possible domestic violence call, the LBPD stated.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man and woman inside the condo, each with a single gunshot wound to the upper body. A weapon was found at the scene.
The woman, 22-year-old Greta Kurian, died at the scene. Her 25-year-old husband, Kyle Kurian, was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was declared dead at around 1:00AM Tuesday morning, according to the LA County Coroner’s office.
Lt. Darren Arakawa of the South Gate Police Department confirmed that Kyle Kurian had been recently hired as a police officer for the department.
The public records site Transparent California shows Kurian has been employed as a police officer since mid-2014.
Above, left: Kyle Kurian had recently been hired as a South Gate Police Officer, according to the SGPD. Photo from Kurian’s Facebook page.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Homicide Detectives Sean Irving and Oscar Valenzuela at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
This report was updated at 2:53PM with more information from the LBPD.