Andrea Nichole Nahrup Yarbrough, 34, and her husband, St. Johns County Fire Rescue Lieutenant Shawn Yarbrough, 46, were found dead in their St. Augustine, Florida home on June 13, 2024. Authorities have ruled their deaths a murder-suicide.
Andrea’s mother, Deborah Churchill, became concerned and requested a welfare check after repeated attempts to reach her daughter were unsuccessful. Deputies discovered the couple’s bodies in the bathroom of their residence in the Entrada subdivision around 9:20 p.m. Autopsies confirmed that Andrea died from a gunshot wound, classified as a homicide. Shawn’s death was ruled a suicide.
The couple was married for about a year and shared a blended family of four children. Andrea, a financial planner by trade, was a mother to an 11-year-old daughter, while Shawn had three sons from a previous relationship. “She loved those boys and wanted the best for them,” said Churchill, expressing the family’s grief and confusion over the incident.
Approximately two weeks before the tragedy, Andrea had posted on Facebook about her husband’s demanding work schedule. She expressed concern over the toll it was taking on him and their family, sharing the fire department’s monthly activity logs, which documented 3,203 service calls. “This is why all of our significant others are exhausted and never functioning 100% at home,” she wrote.
Neighbors described the Yarbroughs as active community members who had been seen just days before the tragedy. A neighbor mentioned to the media that Andrea was actively involved with the Homeowners Association and contributed significantly to the community. “We are struggling to find peace and are deeply saddened by this event. We really need each other right now,” the neighbor expressed.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue Chief Sean McGee released a statement expressing the department’s profound sadness and shock. He described the recent events as unforeseen, shocking, and tragic for everyone involved, highlighting the lasting impact on the families and children affected.
This event is part of a more significant issue affecting first responders nationwide. According to a report from the Ruderman Family Foundation, suicides among first responders often exceed line-of-duty deaths. The high-stress nature of the job, combined with a culture that often stigmatizes seeking mental health support, can lead to significant challenges.
In the wake of this tragedy, Andrea’s family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support her daughter, Lily. The fundraiser has raised over $21,000. The campaign highlights Lily’s sudden challenges, noting she is now without the security of her mother and faces an uncertain future regarding health insurance and other benefits.
“We are so crushed,” said Andrea’s sister, Olivia Marvin. “We thought everything was finally coming together. She was so proud of all her children and what they were doing. She always strived and wanted the best for everyone.”
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that this was an isolated incident and continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
