A Florida firefighter allegedly killed his wife in a tragic murder-suicide just weeks after she revealed online how his demanding work schedule left him “exhausted” and “never functioning 100% at home.”
St. John’s County Fire Rescue Lt. Shawn Yarbrough, 46, and his wife, financial advisor Andrea Nichole Nahrup Yarbrough, 34, were found dead in the bathroom of their St. Augustine home earlier this month, according to the sheriff’s department.
Police were called to the residence on June 13 for a welfare check after Andrea’s mother reported being unable to reach her daughter.
Authorities have classified Andrea’s death as a homicide, while Shawn’s was determined to be a suicide. Autopsy reports confirmed both died from gunshot wounds.
Just two weeks prior, on May 31, Andrea had expressed frustration on Facebook about her husband’s grueling work schedule, sharing the monthly activity logs showing his department handled 3,203 calls for service.
“This is why all of our significant others are exhausted and never functioning 100% at home,” she wrote.
The couple had recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary and had a blended family of four children.
Andrea’s mother, Debbie Churchill, emphasized her daughter’s love for Shawn’s three sons from a previous relationship, treating them as her own. Andrea also had an 11-year-old daughter from a prior relationship.
“She loved those boys and wanted the best for them,” Churchill explained. “It’s all very confusing and hard right now. I can’t explain it. I don’t even know how. It’s something that no one can understand unless they’ve been through it.”
Andrea’s younger sister, Olivia Marvin, shared her shock and devastation with local outlet Action Jax.
“We are so crushed,” Marvin said. “We thought everything was finally coming together. She was so proud of all her children and what they were doing. She always strived and wanted the best for everyone.”
Marvin described her sister as a resilient fighter. “Andrea meant the world to everyone in our family and everyone she encountered,” Marvin said. “Anyone who knew her knew she’d never give up, no matter how hard things got.”
St. Johns County Fire Rescue Chief Sean McGee addressed the tragic incident in a Facebook post, stating, “The recently reported events were unexpected, shocking, and tragic for all those affected. As a department, we are profoundly saddened by the loss of life, recognizing its enduring impact on the families and children of those affected.”
Suicide rates have long been a concern in emergency response departments nationwide, with more first responders dying by suicide than in the line of duty each year, according to the Ruderman Family Foundation.
Andrea’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign for her daughter, Lily, which has raised over $20,000 as of Monday morning.
“She is a tender eleven years old, with her whole life still ahead of her,” the campaign states. “Lily is suddenly and temporarily without the security of her mom, no health insurance, and, as of now, the family is unsure of any life insurance or benefits she may be entitled to.”
Lily and her dog, Marsh, will be moving in with her grandparents, according to the fundraiser.
