Full Breakdown
San Diego Family Found Shot Dead After Mother Sought VA Help for Husband’s PTSD
By Drooid · · How we work
Tragic Outcome Linked to VA Assistance Request
Police in San Diego discovered the bodies of Amy Voight, 54, her husband David Voight, and their 13-year-old daughter Mya inside their home on Wednesday. The deaths were ruled an apparent murder-suicide. The incident occurred one day after Amy visited a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic to request urgent mental-health assistance for David, whose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms had recently intensified.
Background: Veteran Service and Mental-Health Challenges
David Voight was a highly decorated U.S. Navy warrant officer with roughly three decades of service, including explosive-ordnance-disposal duties alongside Navy SEALs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Amy Voight worked as a digital forensics analyst for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). As his behavior deteriorated, Amy’s parents urged her to obtain professional help.
Timeline of Events
- Day 1 (the day before the shootings): Amy Voight went to a VA clinic in San Diego and asked whether her husband could receive medication or treatment to calm his anxiety, depression, and frustration.
- Day 2 (Wednesday): A neighbor reported hearing loud gunshots around 9:30 p.m. Police responded and found the three family members deceased inside the residence on Boulder Lake Avenue.
Official Statements & Responses
The VA, through Press Secretary Quinn Slaven, disputed claims that the agency had failed to provide timely care, stating that “All VA healthcare facilities offer same-day mental healthcare to all Veterans who request it.” The department declined to comment on the specific case due to privacy considerations.
Family members expressed profound grief. Jerry Austin, Amy’s father and a Navy veteran who also lives with PTSD, emphasized the broader need for immediate mental-health access for veterans, citing his own positive experiences at a VA clinic in Lancaster, California.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She says, ‘Can you do anything to him to help him calm down? He’s frustrated, anxiety, depression,’” — Mary Austin — Mary Austin
- “She was extremely bright and just the most amazing person,” — Mary Austin — Mary Austin
- “All VA healthcare facilities offer same-day mental healthcare to all Veterans who request it.” — The VA — The VA
- “It’s terrible, and our pain is just starting,” — Jerry Austin — Jerry Austin