WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-Family Speaks Out About Murder/Suicide Couple's Problems

Reported by Kristen Elicerio

Family Speaks Out About Murder/Suicide Couple's Problems

Relatives close to Dang Xiong, 24, and Pa Hou Vang, 22,say both had good relationships with their siblings and other family members.

It was the issues between the couple that led to the shooting, but exactly what issues, they're unsure of.

"She's a really good person, and she's pretty understanding, it's just that my brother had some issues," said Doua Xiong.

According to Xiong's brother, Xiong may have been dealing with anger or mental issues which caused him to react the way he did.

" He kind of had, what you could say is a mental issue that even though you told him to do it right but he only kept on doing what he wanted in his own mind, so he wouldn't listen to nobody," said Xiong.

The Hmong Association, which helps refugees in La Crosse is working with both families.

"A lot of time when family issues like this happen, it usually happens and is dealt with at the family level," said Thai Vue, Executive Director of the Hmong Mutual Association in La Crosse.

The Association says this act of domestic violence is a sign that more resources need to be made available for those dealing with domestic problems and mental illnesses.

"We need, I think, not just this family but the entire Hmong community across the country have to look at the mental issues and the cognitive disabilities as well which is something that we haven't paid much attention to," said Vue.

Xiong's brother says he and his two other brothers will continue to support one another during this difficult time.

"It's just like a stool, you know, if one leg is missing, we only have three legs standing so we're trying to stabilize ourselves to make sure the three of us don't up like that and taking somebody's life like that," said Xiong.

The couple did have three children, two boys and a girl, all under the age of five.  They're currently staying with the wife's mother and family.