A man killed his wife, son and daughter in prime of their lives: Who they were
Jeffrey Mumper fatally shot his wife and their two children as they slept in the family's Bloomington home on Sept. 6, 2020. Then he killed himself.
American Annihilation: US families face a unique danger – murder from within
Police labeled the tragedy a murder-suicide, but it actually was an example of a growing trend in domestic violence — an act known as "family annihilation."
Here is more about the victims: Greta Mumper, 54, and the couple's two children, Jakob, 18, and Emma, 26.
Greta, Jakob & Emma: Read the full obituary
Jakob Mumper: 'There is hope. Your life matters.'
Jake was passionate about swimming and mental health awareness. A senior at Bloomington High School North with plans to swim in college, he placed 18th in the 50 and 100 freestyle events at the 2020 IHSAA state championship.
His teammates voted him Swimmer of the Year twice for his leadership and positive attitude. He also was involved in Bring Change to Mind, a club working to end the stigma around mental illness.
“Hey, whatever it is you’re going through, things will get better,” he once wrote. “There is hope. Your life matters.”
Jake wasn’t like other boys Amanda Okulski had dated. The day after they became official, he said he loved her as he hung up the phone. Stunned, Amanda called him back — “I love you, too.” One of their favorite inside jokes was making up song titles for an inappropriate Christmas album (“song list for you ho ho ho’s”). Jake drew them together as the album cover.
A scholarship in Jake’s name is awarded annually to a swimmer at Bloomington High School North.
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Emma Mumper: Studied adolescent anxiety, depression
Emma, 26, was a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at Stony Brook University in New York and a self-described empath. Her research focused on adolescent anxiety, depression and trauma.
Emma also co-developed Project EMPOWER, which offers free online training that allows parents around the world to help their children with anxiety. The project’s logo was her favorite animal, a cartoon hedgehog in a red and blue superhero costume.
As an undergrad, Emma gave children swimming lessons. Friends say the experience, coupled with her own struggles with anxiety, inspired her to study clinical psychology.
“In those interactions with toddlers, she could spot the anxious ones,” said her boyfriend Rishab Nithyanand. “With a special type of instruction she was able to give them, they were able to get over their fears.”
Stony Brook University posthumously awarded Emma her Ph.D. the week after her murder.
Previously: 'We will fight the good fight on your behalf': Service honors family killed by husband, father
Greta Mumper: 'She was a ferocious mother.'
Annamarie "Greta" Mumper, 54, was months from obtaining her degree to teach children with special needs when she was murdered. She had worked as a bus driver for Clear Creek Elementary School.
Her favorite holiday was Halloween. She made sure to hand out the big candy bars to the kids on the block — “take as much as you want!”
“She was just so kind and thoughtful and generous and would do anything to help anybody, oftentimes to her own detriment,” said friend Susan Stephens. “She was a ferocious mother.”
A scholarship in Greta’s name is presented to teachers in Monroe County Community Schools.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mumper family: Indiana murder victims remembered as loving, passionate
