Abstract

This study aimed to classify subtypes of filicide-suicide decedents and to propose subtype-specific implications for suicide prevention. The data for this study were based on ‘The Korean National Investigations of Suicide Victims Through Police Records’ conducted by the Korea Foundation For Suicide Prevention, affiliated with the Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare. Based on indicators of pre-death mental health problems, history of mental health treatment, the presence of a suicide note, and the presence of warning signs, we conducted a latent class analysis. Over the eight years, 161 filicide-suicide deaths were identified, representing 0.16% of all suicide deaths and 38.70% of homicide-suicide deaths. In these cases, the proportion of women was high, the age distribution was comparatively young, and a high proportion were full‐time homemakers. The latent classes were categorized as Silent type, Suicide-reason appeal type, Distress-appeal type. Based on these subtype distinctions, this study presents preventive implications tailored to each subtype.