Five children are left orphaned just days before Christmas after Blase Raia shoot his wife, Brooke Raia, in the head before turning gun on himself in horror murder-suicide at Altoona home

Five children were left orphans days before Christmas after their father shot their mother and then turned the gun on himself in a suspected murder-suicide.

Local merchant Blaise Raya, 39, and his wife Brooke Raya, 34, were found amid a bloody scene at their home near Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday evening.

Logan Township Police Chief Dave Hoover said. Altoona Mirror Officers believe Blaze shot his wife in the head with a handgun after a “domestic dispute” in the basement of their home in the 600 block of South Dartmouth Lane.

Four of the children were at home at the time of the incident, and the fifth returned shortly after. Police were called around 7:30 p.m.

State police arrived and took photographs of the scene, which they turned over to Logan Township police, Hoover said. The coroner’s office collected the couple’s bodies that evening.

Five children were left orphans days before Christmas after their father Blaze Raya shot and killed their mother Brooke Raya, formerly Zimmerman, before turning the gun on himself in an alleged murder-suicide. (Pictured: Family photo posted during a fundraiser for children)

Logan officers interviewed the minor children as well as other people who interacted with the couple in the hours before their deaths.

“We’re trying to backtrack—to fill the day,” Hoover said, adding that police have not yet completely ruled out the possibility of third-party involvement. “We’re trying to figure out a motive.”

Brooke Raya, formerly Zimmerman, was a devoted mother who worked two jobs to support her children, according to her obituary. She managed a local chiropractor’s office and also worked shifts at an Amazon warehouse.

“Brooke loved spending time with family, especially her sons, Camden and Easton, and playing alumni basketball games with her former Blue Pirates teammates known as the “Bad Moms Club,” Bolger Funeral Home said in a tribute.

“She also enjoyed vacationing with her family, some of her favorite places being the beach, the Caribbean and going to Atlanta to watch the Braves.”

According to his obituary, Blaze worked as a crew leader at the Juniata Locomotive Shop in South Norfolk and enjoyed motorcycles, drag racing, hunting, bowling and spending time with his children.

Jim Patterson, a former co-worker, said Altoona Mirror Blase was a “good guy” and a “good worker.” “His co-workers seemed to really like him,” Patterson said.

“My prayers and thoughts go out to the survivors – the children and parents.”

According to his obituary, local tradesman Blaise Raya, 39, worked as a crew leader at the Juniata locomotive workshop in South Norfolk and enjoyed motorbikes, drag racing, hunting, bowling and spending time with his children.

Brooke Raya, formerly Zimmerman, was a caring mother who worked two jobs to support her children, according to her obituary. She managed a local chiropractor’s office and also worked shifts at an Amazon warehouse.

Another friend of Blaze’s, Donnie Algieri, said that they were involved in drag racing together, and he created GoFundMe page for five children who raised nearly $60,000.

Along with the fundraising event, a family photo was released showing the Raya couple smiling together surrounded by their five children on the beach.

“I am organizing this collection for the 5 children of Blaise and Brooke who tragically lost both their parents 5 days before Christmas,” the fundraising post reads.

“While I’m sure Christmas is the last thing on their minds, they deserve our support, they need to know they have the support of both the racing community and their family.

“Help me let these kids know that we are here for them. “I know times are tough for people, especially this time of year, but anything will help.”

According to the Altoona Mirror, Brooke also came from a racing family, with her father being a famous motorcycle racer who became a regional speedway commentator.

Blair County Children, Youth and Family Services placed the children with other family members, Hoover said.