Last week, Jennifer Davis and her partner Andrea Pisanello were shot and killed in Largo, Florida, and Davis’ four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were shot and killed in nearby Clearwater by Davis’ former husband, Oliver Bernsdorff, whom she had divorced in August. He is the children’s father, and had retained custody of them. Bernsdorff shot himself to death after killing the others.

There is no evidence so far of homophobia as a motivating factor, which makes the events no more or less tragic. Murdering children is beyond horrific. Bernsdorff was thus clearly unstable enough that it’s easy to imagine he would have done the same had Davis gone on to a relationship with a man, or even remained single.

The media is being coy about Davis and Pisanello’s relationship, however. The Largo police were direct, but abrupt: “Our investigators believe that the two victims lived together as a couple and were involved in a relationship. Further comments will not be made in reference to their relationship.” One article simply calls Pisanello “another woman” found at Davis’ house, and the AP goes for the classic “roommate.” Come on, folks. A little respect please. The media would have no hesitation saying “boyfriend” if that was the case.

My condolences to both Davis and Pisanello’s family and friends.

(Thanks, PageOneQ.)