Victims of Wilbraham murder-suicide identified as mother, adult son

A 56-year-old woman and her adult son were identified as the victims of a murder-suicide in Wilbraham Tuesday morning that left three people dead.

Sima Setian Pariseau and her 27-year-old son Dylan Pariseau were members of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church. Sima served on their Board of Trustees for years, and the mother and son were both at the Father’s Day picnic on Sunday, the church said. 

“Sima’s vibrant personality and unwavering support made her a mentor and source of inspiration for the church community. She was a beacon of light for her family and friends,” the church wrote. “Dylan, a Saint Gregory church Sunday school graduate and lifelong church community member was often found by his mother’s side helping and supporting in every way possible.”

Wilbraham police responded to the home on Main Street for a well-being check Tuesday morning, where Sima lived with her domestic partner Peter Donaldson, officials confirmed. Dylan was also living at the home.

When no one answered, officers saw an unresponsive person, later identified as 56-year-old Donaldson, through the first floor windows, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound with a semi-automatic pistol nearby. 

Sima and Dylan Pariseau were found in the basement with multiple gunshot wounds. Bedros Shetilian, the pastor at their church, said Sima was “in the process of breaking up” with Donaldson, who had recently been laid off, The Boston Globe reported.

Shetilian told the Globe Donaldson was “cold” and “kept his distance” when he occasionally accompanied Sima to church events throughout their six-year relationship.

Shetilian told the Globe Dylan was living at home temporarily after losing his job in Cambridge. According to his Facebook profile, he graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School and studied biology-chemistry at Keene State College.

The church will announce details for a memorial service.