LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Police were trying to determine Tuesday
why a Louisville woman apparently stabbed her two school-age
daughters to death and then shot herself.

A family member stopped by the house just before 7:30 p.m. EDT
Monday and found the bodies, Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman
Alicia Smiley said.

Investigators believe the woman killed her daughters then shot
herself, Smiley said.

Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Bob Jones identified the mother
as Hope Orwick, 35, who he said died of a gunshot wound to the
head. The girls were Emily Orwick, 9, and Lindsey Orwick, 8.

Jones said both girls died of stab wounds but he couldn't say
how many times they were stabbed. An autopsy was scheduled for
Tuesday.

Two chaplains were at the scene Monday night, and Smiley said 15
or so family members gathered there. Police talked to relatives to
see if they could help explain what may have led to the deaths.

Neighbor Mechelle Rockey, 48, told The Courier-Journal that she
has lived across the street from the family for about six months.
She said the two girls often played outside.

"They were the sweetest little girls," Rockey said. "They
were cute as a button."

Neighborhood children were distraught over the girls' deaths,
Rockey said.

"They all played together," she said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)