Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office officials released details in what is now classified as a murder-suicide on Christmas Day in Noblesville. Deputies were first called to the 11200 block of East 191st Street around 4:35 p.m. on Dec. 25 on a report of a shooting. As officers arrived, they discovered three bodies inside a residence. The deceased have been identified as Donald Moon, 84, his wife Joyce Moon, 81, and their son Todd Moon, 48.
According to investigators, the incident may have started on the afternoon of Dec. 25 when Todd Moon contacted a family member to come to the home on East 191st Street where he resided with his parents and his two juvenile children. When the family member arrived, detectives report there appeared to be an argument between Todd Moon and his mother Joyce Moon. The argument escalated to the point when Todd Moon retrieved a handgun and shot his mother. Investigators believe Todd Moon then went to a back bedroom where he shot his father, then returned to the front of the home where he shot himself in the head.
The family member quickly took the children outside to a vehicle and drove to Noblesville Fire Station 75, a short distance away from the residence. During this time, an attempt was made to call 911 but was misdialed so the initial 911 call was made by a third-party family member.
Noblesville Police officers who arrived first at the scene found three bodies inside the residence. Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly after and assumed investigatory responsibilities. Joyce Moon was found in the front hallway, Donald Moon was in a rear bedroom, and Todd Moon was found near the kitchen. A medic at the scene confirmed all three were deceased.
A search of records indicated the Sheriff’s Office had not responded to the residence for any calls other than a potential telephone fraud several years ago. There were no criminal charges in the backgrounds of any of the individuals involved, nor was there a known history of mental illness or domestic violence. No note was found, and detectives are still working to ascertain what may have led to the incident or the cause of the argument.
Autopsies were conducted on Wednesday and, according to the Hamilton County Coroner John Chalfin, preliminary indications are Donald and Joyce Moon died from multiple gunshot wounds while Todd Moon died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot injury. Although toxicology results are pending, investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.
Children living at the residence are receiving care from the Indiana Department of Child Services and are staying with family members.