NJ Title Insurance Executive Kills Wife and Daughter Before Taking His Own Life

David Grodnick, a 61-year-old New Jersey title-insurance executive, killed his wife and 24-year-old daughter before dying by suicide at the family's Montgomery Township home, according to authorities. Police discovered the bodies of Grodnick, his wife, Lora, 62, and their daughter, Sloane, on Friday, 2 October, following a welfare-check request the previous day.

Post-mortem examinations ruled Lora's and Sloane's deaths homicides and Grodnick's death a suicide, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Investigators described the deaths as an isolated incident and said there was no continuing threat to the public.

Police Entered Home After Welfare-Check Request

Montgomery Township police were first called at about 2.59pm on Thursday, 1 October, after someone requested a welfare check on the occupants of the family's Wild Azalea Lane home.

Officers went to the property but could not make contact with anyone inside. Police then began investigating the family's whereabouts, according to the prosecutor's account reproduced by 'The Montgomery News'.

Police returned the following day and entered the residence at approximately 5.52pm. Officers found Lora and Sloane dead in separate bedrooms. Grodnick was also found dead inside the home.

The Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office subsequently confirmed the identities and determined the causes and manners of death. Authorities said all three had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

Investigators concluded that Grodnick killed his wife and daughter before dying by suicide. Their account identifies who they believe was responsible, but authorities have not disclosed a motive or publicly set out the events leading to the deaths.

The welfare-check timeline establishes when officers were called and when the bodies were discovered. It does not establish precisely when the killings occurred.

Grodnick Had Worked In Commercial Title Insurance

Grodnick was a senior vice-president and underwriting counsel at Land Services USA, according to 'The Montgomery News'. His responsibilities included business development and underwriting commercial real-estate transactions nationwide.

His work combined legal expertise with title insurance, which concerns risks associated with ownership and title to property. Land Services USA provides title and settlement services for real-estate transactions.

The newspaper reported that Grodnick earned a law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. His professional background placed him in the commercial property sector, although authorities have not announced any connection between his employment and the deaths.

The family had previously lived in Princeton before moving to the Skillman area of Montgomery Township. Their Wild Azalea Lane residence became the focus of the investigation after officers were unable to contact the occupants.

Sloane Was Studying for Fine Arts Degree

Sloane graduated from The Hun School of Princeton in 2020 before earning a bachelor's degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024, according to The Montgomery News.

At the time of her death, she was enrolled in a Master of Fine Arts programme at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her studies followed her undergraduate education and formed part of her continuing work in the arts.

Authorities identified Sloane and her mother following the post-mortem examinations. The prosecutor's account said they were found in separate bedrooms, but did not publicly explain the sequence of events inside the home.

Investigators Appeal for Information

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said the investigation remained open. Its statement that there was no continuing public threat did not provide an explanation for the killings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor's office's Major Crimes Unit on 908-231-7100 or Montgomery Township Police on 908-359-3222. Authorities said information would be kept confidential.

Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress in the US can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, available 24 hours a day. In the UK, Samaritans offers free, confidential support around the clock on 116 123.