Modesto Police Issue Update on Murder-Suicide Investigation
Originally published 7-14-23 via Facebook
by the Modesto Police Department:
“July 14, 2023: Update on Wednesday’s Murder-Suicide Investigation
50-year-old Donovan Halstead, the father who murdered his 8-year-old daughter, has passed away. Halstead had been hospitalized since Wednesday night after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Below is the original release that MPD issued on the night of the incident.
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July 12, 2023 – Modesto Police Investigate a Murder-Suicide Attempt
Modesto, California –
Officers were dispatched to the 3700 Block of Havenhurst Court in response to a report of a suicidal subject. Upon arrival, officers saw the subject inside the home through a window, armed with a firearm. Officers immediately attempted to communicate with him, and the subject stated he was going to come out unarmed. However, before he did so, officers heard gunshots from inside the home.
After hearing the gunshots, officers entered the residence and located the subject, 50-year-old Donovan Halstead, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Tragically, Halstead’s 8-year-old daughter was also found in the home, seriously injured from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures, she sadly did not survive.
Halstead was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He is not expected to survive.
The Modesto Police Department Violent Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation.”
