A father from Sacramento, who tragically took the lives of his wife and two children in a shocking murder-suicide on Tuesday, did not leave any signs on social media that hinted he was capable of such violence.
Posts on David Valerga’s Facebook showcase a loving family dynamic, where he appears to be a devoted father, engaging in activities like taking his children to the park, teaching them to ride bikes, and even running errands together at Costco.
In one particular post, he shared a photo of his daughter Sydney, captured sitting in a shopping cart while sporting pink boots and a “let’s wear a bow” shirt.
He even remarked, “It’s very difficult for Sydney to run a Costco,” highlighting a playful side.
Valerga had numerous moments documented with his son Colton, whom he ultimately harmed, including work outings and a boys’ night spent shopping for dinner.
He once humorously conveyed a photo of his daughter Sydney alongside the family lizard, joking about putting the lizard on a saddle for her to ride.
His social media presence also featured affectionate posts about his wife Lindsay, who was among those killed in the incident. He even mentioned how to keep her happy, sharing an image of an omelet he prepared for her.
Adding to this troubling picture was a photo he posted posing with his daughter and a toy gun, captioned, “Sydney is learning trigger control from daddy…”
This seemingly caring father bore the shocking contrast of a brutal reality when he shot his family at their home in Rancho Cordova. Afterward, he reportedly called the police, claiming his house was rigged with traps before turning the gun on himself, according to authorities.
Some neighbors observed signs of distress, noting instances of Valerga’s anger directed toward his family. One neighbor recounted hearing him yell, “I’m going to mess you up,” directed at his wife.
Valerga and Lindsay operated a tutoring business together, known as GradePower Learning, which many in the community found admirable.
Emily Autenreese, the owner of a local bookstore, reflected on Lindsay as a wonderful neighbor, stating that the children had always been polite and that Lindsay actively supported their community efforts.
