Warwick, RI — In a tragic incident that has gripped the Warwick community, 4-year-old Liam Dempsey was fatally shot by his father, Seamus Dempsey, in a murder-suicide that unfolded on March 21, 2024. The devastating sequence of events reportedly occurred as Estefania Dempsey, the mother of the young boy, was making preparations to leave her husband due to concerns over his alcohol use and its impact on their family.
Liam, described by his mother as a joyful child who loved dinosaurs and possessed a contagious smile, became the unintended victim in what authorities have characterized as a domestic crisis escalated to a fatal conclusion. Estefania recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the incident, highlighting the extreme measures taken by Seamus Dempsey, including the use of his phone to electronically secure the doors of their home to prevent her from leaving.
Despite repeated commitments to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to abstain from drinking around his children, Seamus’s struggles with alcohol persisted, creating an unstable home environment. Estefania’s fears grew over time, compounded by a previous arrest of Seamus for domestic assault, raising concerns about the safety and wellbeing of their children.
The confrontation reached its crisis point when, during an attempt by Estefania to leave with Liam, Seamus brandished a firearm and tragically shot Liam before turning the gun on himself. Estefania’s desperate attempts to save her son were met with heartache as she witnessed the unthinkable.
Responding to Estefania’s 911 call, Warwick Police confirmed the deaths as a murder-suicide, a statement that sheds light on the dire circumstances that unfolded within the walls of the Dempsey household on Frawley Street. Estefania shared the chilling details of her ordeal, including Seamus’s chilling threat before he fired the weapon.
Despite the overwhelming grief, Estefania has chosen to channel her pain into advocacy, hoping to bring attention to the perils of domestic violence and to campaign for prevention measures to protect other families from similar tragedies. Her resolve has led her to engage with the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, a local organization dedicated to assisting survivors of domestic violence, where she finds support and solidarity in a community committed to healing and advocacy.
Through sharing her story, Estefania aims not only to cope with her unimaginable loss but also to ensure that her son’s death is not in vain. Her efforts highlight a crucial message about the importance of recognizing the signs of domestic instability and taking swift actions to safeguard vulnerable family members.
The broader Warwick community has been prompted by this tragedy to reexamine how domestic violence is addressed locally, with discussions surrounding increased resources and support for those experiencing similar conditions. Further, this incident has intensified dialogues on the responsibility of agencies tasked with protecting children and intervening in high-risk family settings.
Estefania’s plea for action and her ongoing struggle with the aftermath of the tragedy underscore an urgent call for societal and systemic changes that prioritize the safety and welfare of children within their familial environments.