Irene Barron, 34, died on June 8, 1992, at her Sacramento County home. Her death was initially attributed to natural causes after her husband Jack Barron said she had a genetic disorder, but friends and family were skeptical because of Jack’s history of violent outbursts and obsessive behavior. Subsequent troubling events in the family prompted a re-examination of Irene’s case.

Eight months after Irene’s death, the couple’s 4-year-old son Jeremy was found dead in his bed; the following summer their 4-year-old daughter Ashley also died in her sleep. A reworked autopsy on Irene eventually showed evidence of asphyxiation, and authorities determined both children had died in similar circumstances. Jack Barron, who had moved in with his mother Roberta Butler after selling the family home, became the prime suspect.

On February 27, 1995, Roberta Butler was found smothered to death in her Benicia townhouse. A joint task force from Sacramento and Solano counties investigated the four deaths. Jack Barron was arrested on July 18, 1995, on three counts of murder in the deaths of Irene, Jeremy and Ashley; he was also the prime suspect in his mother’s death though no charge was filed then. Does anyone have information about Irene, her children, or contacts who might have details about the early investigations?