Westport mother and 7-year-old daughter found dead after apparent murder-suicide, officials say

A Westport mother and her 7-year-old daughter are dead after an apparent murder-suicide in their Westport home.

Tracy Do, 46, died by suicide due to “sharp-force injuries of torso and extremities” and her daughter Layla Malon died by a drowning that has been ruled a homicide, police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced late Friday afternoon.

Both were found inside their home at Lyndale Park and Weston Road at about 4 p.m. Thursday after first responders were dispatched to a call about an unresponsive woman, Westport police have said.

Officers found Tracy Malon first before searching the residence and finding her daughter, both already dead, police said.

“This is a horrible tragedy, and the police department is keeping the family as well as the community that was so deeply affected by this in our thoughts and prayers,” Westport police Chief Foti Koskinas said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Police declined to release any other details about the case Friday, however, court records paint a picture of a tense past year for the family with multiple lawsuits between Do and her longtime partner, the father of Layla and another daughter who also lives at the Lyndale Park home.

Last fall Do sued her partner for custody of their children, claiming she worked for her partner’s company for years without compensation and that he had promised to give them a home in Westport when their relationship ended, court records show.

Her partner then filed twice to evict her from the Lyndale Park home and just last week a judge granted Do an extension until July 16 to file her response to the most recent eviction attempt, records show.

Thomas Scarice, superintendent of schools, said in a letter to the Westport community Thursday evening that the people who died were a school parent and her daughter.

“Late this afternoon, we were informed of the untimely and tragic loss of one of our parents and her beloved daughter. There are no words that could console the sense of sorrow we feel by this unspeakable tragedy. We want to express our deepest condolences to all those impacted by this heartbreaking loss,” he said.

There were no classes at Coleytown Elementary School and Stepping Stones Preschool Friday, but Scarice said the schools were open for parents and students to access mental health services between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The school system also provided links to online materials about talking to children about death and coping with loss.

“As a school staff, we encourage you to listen carefully to your child and answer questions openly and honestly should they occur,” Scarice said. “Accepting your child’s feelings and validating them is beneficial. During the days ahead, your child may find it helpful to discuss his/her feelings with you or another adult.”

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe said he can’t say much “since this terrible event is still under investigation. My prayers and condolences are with the family.”

“Police, first responders, public school personnel and students have been directly impacted by this devastating event,” Marpe said. “The entire community shares in their grief and sadness. Westport is a caring community and I know we will come together to support those who need to begin the healing process.”

There were only a few signs early Friday afternoon that something had gone horribly wrong inside the home at the corner of Lyndale Park, a private street, and Weston Road. Some crime scene tape hung from a tree and fence, and two police cars lingered at the house.

Two women dropped bouquets of flowers on a bench outside the gate in an impromptu memorial. Another woman stood across the street staring at the scene, wiping away tears.

Emily Greenberg, a lifelong Westport resident, dropped off one of the bouquets at about 1:30 p.m. She said she doesn’t know the family who lives there but wanted to pay respects.

“It’s just a big tragedy for this town,” she said. “We don’t have this here.”

The 4,457-foot house is an imposing presence in the neighborhood near the Merritt Parkway. A fence atop a stone wall lines the front lawn, and there is a gate at the bottom of the driveway. At least a dozen small American flags are planted across the property, in addition to a large one hanging above a garage.

State police Major Crime detectives are helping Westport police with the investigation.

Courant staff writer Jessika Harkay contributed to this report.

Christine Dempsey can be reached at cdempsey@courant.com. Alex Putterman can be reached at aputterman@courant.com. Zach Murdock can be reached at zmurdock@courant.com.