SACO — Funerals are scheduled for Monday in Arizona for a mother and her children who were killed in Maine.

The services are being held in Phoenix for Heather Smith, along with 12-year-old Jason Montez and 7-year-old Noah Montez and 4-year-old Lily. They were shot to death on July 26 in Saco.

Police say Joel Smith killed his family before taking his own life.

Family and friends say the parents were having financial struggles and dealing with addiction.

Joel Smith’s father, Stephen Smith, told WMTW-TV that his son was struggling to control his drinking while his daughter-in-law battled opiate addiction. He said he believes his son was suffering from the effects of alcohol withdrawal before the shooting and that he regrets not forcing him into a hospital to get help.


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