Investigators believe 33-year-old Nicholas Olson-Hartley shot his wife and two young children in their North Kalispell home on Mother's Day in an apparent murder-suicide.  

Kalispell Police officers arrived at the family's Werner Peak Trail home about 5:52 a.m., May 11 after dispatchers received a call from Olson-Hartley, who officials said made several "concerning statements" before hanging up.  

Unable to contact anyone inside, officers broke into the home, where they first discovered the bodies of Nicholas Olson-Hartley and his wife, 27-year-old Katie Olson-Hartley, both shot to death, officials said.  

The bodies of the couple's two children, one 6 years old and the other 7 months old, were found during a search of the home, according to the authorities. They, too, died from apparent gunshot wounds. 

Based on interviews and evidence collected, investigators determined that Nicholas Olson-Hartley killed his wife and children before calling 911. After hanging up on dispatchers, Nicholas Olson-Hartley killed himself, officials said.   

The couple's eldest child, Heidi Hartley-Olson, attended Edgerton Elementary School in Kalispell. The 6-year-old was a "kind, thoughtful, and a bright light at Edgerton, and she will be missed," wrote Superintendent Matt Jensen in a letter to parents on Monday. 

The district set up a crisis response team to aid students, parents and school personnel in the wake of the tragedy, Jensen wrote. Counselors are available at Edgerton for students and parents can expect to be contacted if their child appears to be struggling "so the conversation can continue in your presence," he said.  

Teachers were informed of the killings before the start of the school week "to support them personally, and prepare for your children to arrive this morning." 

Jensen also urged parents to contact the school if their children need additional support. 

"Our goal is to help our school community process any loss or tragedy with compassion, respect, and care," he wrote. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].