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California Teen Slain By Controlling Ex-Boyfriend In Murder-Suicide, Mom Says

Willow Singer and Thomas Jordan Hayes, both 19, were found dead in the doorway of Singer's San Diego home.

By Ethan Harfenist

A San Diego teen was gunned down in front of her home by her ex-boyfriend, who then took his own life, according to the victim's mother. 

Willow Singer, 19, and Thomas Jordan Hayes, also 19, were found with fatal gunshot wounds to their upper bodies in the doorway of the girl's home in what police are investigating as a murder-suicide. 

Adele Singer, who identified herself as Willow Singer’s mother in a Facebook tribute to her daughter, made the grisly discovery on Tuesday at around 8 p.m., according to NBC 7 San Diego.

Police said a neighbor phoned 911 after hearing screams. Investigators believe Hayes shot Singer before committing suicide with the same weapon, Lt. Anthony Dupree said, according to Fox 5 San Diego.

Singer's mother wouldn't speak with NBC 7 on camera, but told them Hayes was a controlling ex-boyfriend. 

Neighbors told the outlet that Adele Singer was also dealing with the loss of her husband, Willow’s father, who died from cancer only days earlier.

Willow Singer

“[Adele Singer] is going to have that memory in her head. And she went from having a husband a daughter to just having a son, that fast,” neighbor Barbara Sennet said, according to NBC 7. “It’s just almost frightening. How quickly with the snap of your fingers life can change for you.”

Adele Singer took to Facebook on Thursday to memorialize her daughter.

As many of you know, my beloved daughter Willow was senselessly shot and killed in front of our home Tuesday,” she wrote. “The man who did this also took his own life. This, too, is a tragedy, but it is not our tragedy…Willow was beyond precious to us, and what this man did left a hole in our lives and hearts that can never be filled.