‘Indescribable pain.’ Platte County district mourns children found dead in KC’s Northland
Two children found dead of gunshot wounds inside a burning home in Kansas City’s Northland last week were students in the Platte County School District, the district confirmed.
In a message sent to families and staff Sunday, officials said the district was mourning the deaths of Jeffrey Hatcher, 8, a second grade student at Pathfinder Elementary School and Charlotte Hatcher, 6, a kindergartner.
“Our thoughts are with the Hatcher family during this difficult time,” the district’s message said.
The district said once memorial services were confirmed, they would be shared with the community. The district also said it would have additional counselors, social workers and other staff available to support students and staff.
The two children and a man, Zachary Hatcher, 38, were found inside a home in the 1000 block of Northwest 91st Terrace Jan. 2. All three died by gunshot wounds, police said. Police who responded to the home on a welfare call smelled smoke and called for firefighters, who extinguished a blaze inside the residence.
Investigators entered the home and found the three, who had been shot.
A GoFundMe organized for the mother of the children had raised more than $13,000 as of Monday afternoon.
“On January 2nd, 2025, our hearts were shattered by the sudden loss of our precious Jeffrey (8) and Charlotte (6),” the page said. “Words cannot fully express the indescribable pain and sorrow we are experiencing as we mourn their passing. Their mother, Cecelia, along with Jeffrey and Charlotte’s family and friends, are all heartbroken by this unimaginable tragedy.”
“Although their time with us was far too short, we are committed to cherishing and honoring their memory, as they brought immeasurable joy and light into the lives of everyone who knew them.”
Captain Jake Becchina, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department, said Monday investigators were waiting for autopsy results before classifying the deaths. Becchina said police were not looking for any suspects in the killings.
The Star’s Kendrick Calfee contributed reporting to this story.
