MADISON, Ind. – Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter has released his findings of a December 2023 death investigation that occurred in rural Jefferson County.
On December 12, 2023, emergency personnel responded to a house fire in the 1600 Block of East Telegraph Hill Road near Madison. Fire department personnel were able to enter the burning structure where four bodies were located. Despite life-saving measures, all four were pronounced dead. They were identified as Naomi Briner, 35, Adelia Briner, 12, Leland Briner, 8, and Iyla Briner, 6. Naomi Briner was the biological mother of the children.
Based on the results of the autopsies and the evidence in this case, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Officer ruled the manner of death of the three children to be homicide. The autopsy reports showed that all three children sustained gunshot wounds, which were contributing factors in their deaths. The coroner’s office listed the manner and cause of death of Naomi Briner as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
After the inquiry, the case was presented to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter released his findings that the evidence indicates that Naomi Briner was responsible for the deaths of the three children and herself.
Prosecutor Sutter stated, “This was a tragic case that has been heartbreaking for the community and everyone involved in this investigation. My heart goes out to the involved families for the tragedy that they have endured. At this time, I am not requesting that investigators pursue any additional leads in this case.”
