The Lake County man whom police say took his own life after beating three people with a baseball bat Monday, killing his girlfriend and her mother, was schizophrenic and off his medication, according to the family members.

Tavares police said the attack by 32-year-old James Earl Jones at a home on Hisbiscus Court, in Tavares, killed his girlfriend, Shannon Ratliff, and her mother, Mavis. Shannon's brother, Eddie, was critically injured.

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3 dead, 1 critical in Tavares murder-suicide

  • James Earl Jones, 32 — Suspect, committed suicide after the attack
  • Shannon Ratliff, 42  — Jones' girlfriend, beaten to death
  • Mavis Ratliff, 66 — Shannon's mother, beaten to death
  • Eddie Ratliff, 51 — Shannon's brother, in critical condition

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Members of the victims' family said they were heartbroken by the tragedy and said Jones had been like part of their family for the last 15 years.

When police arrived at the home Monday evening, they found Jones bloody and holding a baseball bat. Police said Jones then ran off to a lake, where he was later found dead.

Mavis Ratliff's sister, Shannon, said Mavis called her family for help, and they all tried to stop Jones, but there was nothing they could do.

"He was just beating my sister," said family member Terri Hall. "I didn't see her until after he ran, and their heads were both just split wide open."

"We're not exactly sure why the reality of things — we are never sure why someone flips the way that they do," said Pastor John Thomas Swiney, the family's pastor. "We are just praying that somehow, God will bring peace and help to this family."

Only Eddie Ratliff, Shannon Ratliff's brother and an employee with the city of Tavares, survived the attack. He was flown to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he was said to be in critical condition after undergoing surgery for his injuries.

The home remained taped off Tuesday as police continued to investigate what could have triggered the attack.

Friends of the family tell us Shannon Ratliff had just returned home from work when the attack happened Monday.