Three years to the day after the Saugus murder-suicide that took their lives, the Birnkrant family is remembered for their unwavering kindness and loving personalities.

Just before 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to the 28800 block of Startree Lane in Saugus, after friends of the family requested a welfare check at the home after not seeing Amy Birnkrant for a few days, officials said at the time.

Officials soon discovered the bodies of the three victims of the murder-suicide, as well as that of the shooter, 51-year-old Michael Joseph Birnkrant, who investigators believed shot his family before turning the gun on himself.

A driver for movie studios, Michael Birnkrant had worked as a part of the crew on dozens of films including “Star Trek” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”

Although neighbors knew little of Michael, his wife Amy and their two children were beloved by many in the community, according to previous KHTS articles.

Sean and Drew Birnkrant circa 2012

Amy Suzanne Birnkrant, 47, a former preschool teacher at Mountainview Elementary and an avid runner with several marathons under her belt, ran a daycare center out of her family home.
Drew Birnkrant, 20, was remembered as a loving person, willing to befriend anybody and let mistakes go without holding grudges. She was a track and field athlete for the Valencia Vikings and later for College of the Canyons, running in 200 and 400-meter events.

Sean Birnkrant, 11, was described as being calm, quiet, and a massively talented pitcher by friends in the Santa Clarita Youth Baseball League. In honor of Sean, his initials were printed on the right sleeve of all players’ jerseys for the 2018 Spring season.

Related: Vigil For Drew Birnkrant Held At Valencia High School After Family Killed In Saugus

Although three years have passed, and the Birnkrants have been laid to rest, many questions still remain for those who were left behind. No motive for the shooting has ever been identified by investigators, leaving friends, family, and the Santa Clarita community to wonder why such a senseless crime had to occur.

Though they might be gone, the fond memories of Amy, Drew and Sean Birnkrant live on in the minds and hearts of those who knew them.

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