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Celebrity driver who worked for Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams Shot wife and two kids in murder-suicide


A celebrity driver shot and killed his wife and two children before turning the gun on himself.

Amy, Michael, Drew and Sean Birnkrant were found dead inside their Los Angeles County home Friday morning in what authorities say was a murder-suicide, KHTS Santa Clarita reported.

Michael Joseph, the dad, worked as a movie set driver for top Hollywood directors including Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams on major productions, including "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and "Star Trek," according to IMDB.

The mother, Amy Birnkrant, ran a daycare center called “Birnkrant Family Daycare Home” out of the family’s house. It was not open at the time of the shooting, according to reports.

Daughter Drew Birnkrant, 20, was a track athlete and student at College of the Canyons.

The Birnkrants’ son, Sean, was 11 years old, according to KTLA.

Neighbors look on as an investigation is underway after the slayings. (IRFAN KHAN/TNS)

Investigators recovered a gun near Michael’s body, KTLA reported.

The bodies were found in different rooms across the house, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Rodney Moore said, according to the report.

Authorities responded to a welfare check requested by a friend of Amy’s who had not seen her for a few days, officials said.

It’s unclear when the shootings took place, officials said, KTLA reported.

The L.A. County coroner’s office removed the bodies from the scene Friday.

The bodies were found in different rooms across the house, Moore said, according to a report. (IRFAN KHAN/TNS)

Investigators are searching for a motive for the killings.

Neighbors described Amy and the kids as well-liked members of a tight-knit community.

Michael, who was also a driver on "Mission: Impossible III," "Her," and "Little Fockers," was more aloof, they told KTLA.

Neighbor Sandy Barajas called the shooting “devastating.”

“Heart breaking ... those children are gone, they’re gone. That family, a family of four ... they’re gone.”
















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