http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110907/NEWS01/109070331/Adam-Parcells-kills-2-daughters-self-campground?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome
Adam Parcells kills 2 daughters, self at campground
6:48 AM, Sep. 7, 2011
Written by Gary McLendon
LAKE GEORGE — A Hilton man shot and killed his two young daughters before killing himself in a campground over the weekend, police said.
Lt. Steven Stockdale of the Warren County Sheriff's Office has confirmed Adam P. Parcells, 29, shot and killed himself and children Noel Parcells, 10, of Rochester, and Mia Parcells, 3, of Hilton.
The three were killed with a .45-caliber rifle sometime Monday night in a tent where they had been staying.
Adam P. Parcells was found dead from a single gunshot. Each girl had been shot numerous times, apparently as they slept, police said.
The deaths occurred in an isolated area of Adirondack Camping Village, a 168-site campground about two miles north of the village of Lake George.
The Warren County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday after the owner of the Adirondack Camping Village went to check on a vehicle and found the bodies in a nearby tent. No one reported hearing anything unusual near the tent Monday.
Police say Parcells and Mia's mother were in the process of separating.
Noel Parcells' mother reported her missing to Rochester police on Friday, and an Amber Alert, issued when a child is reported missing, was not put out by Rochester police, according to the Warren County Sheriff's Office.
"It seems like a very estranged family situation. It involved two young children who were taken from their moms. I don't know how people even start to rectify that grief," Stockdale said.
Noel Parcells had completed fifth grade at Hilton Central School District's Village Elementary School in June, said district spokeswoman Barbara Carder. Noel attended the school from second through fifth grade but was supposed to attend a private school in Rochester this year, Carder said.
Village Elementary Principal Tracie Czebatol called an emergency staff meeting yesterday to inform staff, including teachers who had Noel in class. Grief counselors will be on hand today at the school for students and staff, Carder said.
Rochester Police Public Information Officer Stephen Scott said late Tuesday that the department is "looking into RPD's involvement with this family," and is expected to release its findings today.
Stockdale said there was no reason to believe the children were in danger of violence.
"As far as the kids, there is no reason to believe they have been threatened or have been a party to any violence or threats of violence in the past," Stockdale said.
Police said Parcells and his daughters had been at the campsite since at least Saturday.
The .45-caliber Hi-Point model 4595 rifle used in the killings was purchased at a Dick's Sporting Goods store in western New York in July, police said.
Public record searches reveal that Parcells was experiencing financial difficulties; his wife filed for divorce in May; and his grandmother died Aug. 28.
The Warren County Sheriff's Office, the state police and Rochester police are seeking "anyone with any inkling that this act was premeditated," Stockdale said.
The three police agencies are continuing to investigate, and police are conducting interviews of those familiar with the family.
Stockdale asks anyone with any insight into Parcells' actions and prior behavior to call (518) 743-2500.
