Details have emerged surrounding the death of two parents and their young child, who were found deceased in their house, leaving their other two kids orphaned.
A serene South Carolina neighborhood has been rocked by a harrowing tragedy after a prominent family of three was discovered dead inside their upscale home in Greer on Friday morning, March 28, 2025. Authorities have identified the victims as 54-year-old Richard Samarel, his 45-year-old wife Lina, and their nine-year-old daughter, Samantha.
Deputies from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distressing 911 call from a concerned neighbor. Upon arriving at the family’s $783,000 residence — a five-bedroom, six-bathroom home nestled in the tranquil foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains — officers made the grim discovery.
Despite the deeply unsettling scene, officials were quick to reassure residents that there was no active threat to the public. The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office placed the time of death between 10:20 a.m. and 11:29 a.m. that day.
However, both the cause of death and the nature of the incident — whether accidental, homicidal, or a murder-suicide — remain undisclosed as investigations continue.
Authorities confirmed that other residents who live in the home were at school during the incident. Lina’s social media indicates that she and Richard share two other kids — a young son and another daughter — sparking fears that the surviving individuals may now be orphaned.
On social media, the family’s posts portray a vibrant and joyful life, with no public signs of distress or turmoil.
Richard, originally from Cream Ridge, New Jersey, was a former equities manager at Bloomberg LP. His wife, a Colombian native, had once worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The couple tied the knot in December 2009 and moved into their spacious 5,100-square-foot home, built in 2019, as noted on Zillow.
The wedding photos of Richard and Lina capture a joyful and elegant celebration. In one image, the couple stands smiling beside a priest at the altar of a beautifully adorned church. Other photos show them walking hand in hand down the aisle and riding together in a white horse-drawn carriage.
Lina looks radiant in a lace bridal gown while Richard looks dapper in a light beige suit with a mint green tie. Their expressions reflect love, excitement, and serenity on what was clearly a cherished day in their lives.
The city of Greer, known for its small-town charm and notably low crime rate — approximately 17.86 incidents per 1,000 people compared to the national average of 33.37 — has been left stunned.
In a statement, local authorities emphasized that more details will be made public once both the Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office advance in their investigations. For now, unanswered questions loom large over a grieving community and a family torn apart in the most heartbreaking of ways.
As the community grapples with the shocking deaths of Richard, Lina, and Samantha, tributes are beginning to surface online — each one painting a picture of the love, warmth, and kindness the family brought into the lives of others.
Among the many messages, one particularly emotional tribute was shared by Abby Gates, a close friend and former colleague of Lina’s.
In a Facebook post, Abby remembered Lina as both a devoted nurse and a compassionate soul, writing, “A dear friend, Lina M Zapata, nurse and coworker, has gone to be with the Lord. Details are sketchy but the loss of the family and sweet Samantha are unimaginable. Praying for answers and peace. 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔.”
Attached to her post is a warm photo of Lina and Richard, both smiling in what appears to be a cozy restaurant setting. Lina, dressed in a floral print top, radiates natural beauty and serenity as she leans slightly toward Richard.
Lina’s husband, sporting a pale pink T-shirt, wraps his arm gently around her, beaming beside his wife. The image captures a tender moment between the couple — one that now carries even deeper meaning in the wake of the devastating news.
Abby’s tribute reflects the heartbreak felt by those who knew Lina personally — not just as a professional in the medical field, but as a beloved friend and mother. The post, simple and sincere, echoes a broader plea for clarity and healing as the investigation into the family’s mysterious deaths continues.
In times of sorrow, such messages offer not only remembrance but a shared space for mourning — and a powerful reminder of the lives behind the headlines.
At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Robert and Lina’s two little ones left orphaned by this tragedy, their other family members, loved ones, and friends. We hope for their healing amid their time of grief, as they mourn such significant losses. RIP, dear Robert, Lina, and little Samantha.
