Report: Lee County couple planned failed murder-suicide

FORT MYERS, Fla. – After watching Tammy Modlin stab the family dog to death, then doing the same to her three-year-old daughter, and then shooting her 16-year-old daughter to death, Patrick Sean Carlopoli then shot his girlfriend to death, according to an unredacted arrest report released Tuesday.

Carlopoli was supposed to then turn the gun on himself, the report said.

“At that point, Patrick said he shot his girlfriend, however, he could not go through with killing himself,” the report said. “Patrick then went outside and called 911 after dropping the firearm on the bed.”

Carlopoli, 27, was arrested Sunday after contacting emergency dispatchers. He is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of felony animal cruelty.

Carlopoli remained in the Lee County jail Tuesday under no bond.

The report did not say why Carlopoli and Modlin planned the attempted murder-suicide.

The news was shocking for Carol Busk, who lived next to the family.

“He doesn’t mind his family being killed, obviously, but he couldn’t kill himself…but he watched everybody else die,” she said. “That’s unspeakable.”

Deputies arrived at the couple’s Iona Lakes Drive apartment after Carlopoli dialed 911 at about 4:15 a.m.

“Patrick had visible blood splatter on his body and clothing,” the report said. “Patrick told deputies ‘they are in there,’ pointing inside the residence…deputies detained Patrick, who made a spontaneous utterance that he shot his wife.”

Tammy Modlin, 37, and Montana Modlin, 16, were found shot on the bed inside the master bedroom. The firearm was found between them, the report said.

The bodies of Jeanne Carlopoli, 3, and the family dog were found stabbed to death.

Jeanne’s fourth birthday is Feb. 28.

Montana is Patrick Carlopoli’s step-daughter, and Jeanne is the daughter of Carlopoli and Modlin, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott said.