The headlines were chilling. On November 7, 2024, just days after the U.S. presidential election, police in Duluth, Minnesota, discovered a scene that defied any easy explanation. Anthony Nephew, a 46-year-old man with a long history of mental health struggles, had shot and killed four members of his family across two different homes before taking his own life.
It was a nightmare.
In one house, police found his ex-partner, 47-year-old Erin Abramson, and their 15-year-old son, Jacob Nephew. In another, they discovered his wife, Kathryn Nephew, 45, and their 7-year-old son, Oliver. The shooter was also found dead in the second home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Wait. Why did this happen?
People immediately started pointing to the election. It’s easy to see why. Nephew’s social media was a chaotic map of political anxiety. He had posted anti-Trump content and shared memes about the state of the country. But as the investigation unfolded, the story became less about "political disagreement" and more about a catastrophic collapse of mental health fueled by a specific, paranoid delusion.
The Motive Behind Why This Man Killed His Family After the Trump Win
Honestly, it wasn’t just about politics in the way we usually talk about it. It wasn’t a "protest." According to police reports and search warrants that surfaced later, Anthony Nephew was suffering from schizophrenia. He had been for years.
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In July 2024—months before the election—he was actually hospitalized after holding a knife to his wife’s throat. During that incident, he told officers that "voices" were telling him President-elect Donald Trump was going to "take over the world" and that he needed to kill his family to protect them. He literally told the police that if Trump won, they should "put a bullet in his head and the head of his families."
Think about that for a second.
This wasn't a sane man reacting to a political shift. This was a man whose brain had latched onto the news as the focal point of a deadly hallucination. He believed the world was ending, and in his broken logic, killing his children was an act of "protection."
The Gun Permit Controversy
Here’s the part that makes most people angry: despite being hospitalized for a violent mental health crisis in July, Nephew was approved for a gun permit on September 9. How?
Minnesota had actually recently implemented "Red Flag" laws (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) designed to stop exactly this. However, for an order to be triggered, someone—a family member or law enforcement—usually has to petition the court specifically for it. In the July incident, Nephew had cooperated with the hospital stay, and it seems the "nexus" to firearms wasn't clear enough at that moment to trigger the permanent ban on his record before he applied for the permit in September.
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It was a massive failure of the safety net.
What the Duluth Tragedy Reveals About Modern "Family Annihilation"
Criminologists call this "family annihilation." It’s a specific type of mass murder where a perpetrator—almost always male—kills their entire family. Usually, it’s triggered by a perceived loss of control. In Anthony Nephew’s case, that loss of control was projected onto the national stage.
He had actually written about this himself. In 2021, Nephew wrote a column for the Duluth News Tribune about mental health. He wrote, "For millions of Americans, a breakdown leads to suicide—or homicide before suicide." He knew he was sick. He was "bottling things up," as he put he it.
The tragedy is that he called for a better mental health framework in the very city where he would eventually destroy his family.
A Community in Mourning
Duluth isn't a huge city. People knew these victims.
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- Jacob Nephew was a talented 15-year-old. He played in the honor orchestra and was on the Nordic ski team.
- Erin Abramson was described by the Mayor of Superior as one of the most competent, "honest and hardworking" staff members at the city's Environmental Services Division.
- Oliver Nephew was just 7. He loved LEGOs.
The loss is immeasurable. When we talk about "the man who killed his family over the Trump win," we are talking about the end of these lives—lives that had nothing to do with the electoral college or policy shifts.
Lessons and Actionable Insights
If you’re reading this because you’re worried about the intersection of political polarization and mental health, there are real things to watch for.
Recognizing the "Injustice Collector"
Criminologists often use this term for people who fixate on perceived wrongs. When someone starts viewing global events (like an election) as a personal, direct threat to their family's safety, that's not "passionate politics"—it's a clinical red flag.
Use the Resources Available
If a family member is making threats or seems to be losing touch with reality:
- Red Flag Laws: In states like Minnesota, you can petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to temporarily remove firearms from someone in crisis.
- The 988 Lifeline: This isn't just for the person in crisis; you can call it to get advice on how to handle a loved one who is spiraling.
- Vulnerability at Transition: High-stress events (elections, job loss, anniversaries) act as "precipitating factors" for those already on the edge.
This case wasn't about who won an election. It was about what happens when severe, untreated mental illness meets easy access to a firearm during a moment of national tension. The tragedy in Duluth is a reminder that while the news cycle moves on, the families left behind are shattered forever.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.
Practical Next Steps for Family Safety:
- Audit Firearm Access: If a household member shows signs of a "med change" or increased paranoia, ensure all firearms are stored off-site or with biometric locks only you can access.
- Document Threats: In the Anthony Nephew case, the July incident was recorded but not followed through with an ERPO. If a threat involving a weapon occurs, follow up with local law enforcement specifically about firearm restrictions.
- Monitor "Doomscrolling": For those with a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, extreme media consumption can trigger "ideas of reference," where they believe the news is speaking directly to them. Limit news exposure during high-stress periods.