Friends Remember Kind Soul at Heart of Tragic Murder-Suicide: ‘No Warning Signs’

Friends and family of Andre Zeitler, a 40-year-old local programmer, are mourning his tragic death following a devastating incident in his home in Desert Cedars. Authorities report that Zeitler shot and killed his mother, Diane Zeitler, before taking his own life. In a heart-wrenching suicide note, he stated he “took away her pain.”

The Pinal County Medical Examiner has classified Diane’s death as homicide and Andre’s as suicide, although final reports are pending. Despite the circumstances, those close to Andre are struggling to understand how this could happen, attributing the act to a prolonged mental health crisis.

“It was a mental health crisis that turned tragic,” claimed LaDonda Calloway, a long-time friend who had known him since 2012. “He was not a killer; he was a kind person.” Christina Gilchrist, another close companion, echoed this disbelief, noting that there were no warning signs leading up to the incident.

Friends describe Andre as someone who consistently offered support, even as he grappled with his inner demons. In recent months, he had been caring for his aging mother, a role he took seriously and with devotion. “He loved her. I never heard anything negative about their relationship,” Calloway said.

After losing his job as a software engineer last September, Andre began exploring new opportunities, including launching a YouTube project centered on his cat, Jake. He registered a new business, Lazy Quality LLC, in December and was enthusiastic about his new video equipment and editing endeavors, though he found the editing process more time-consuming than anticipated.

Friends noted his excitement during a birthday outing, where he shared the videos he had been working on. However, beneath the surface, Andre’s struggles persisted. A note left behind contained song lyrics expressing themes of pain and despair. “He’s been anti-suicide for a long time,” Gilchrist remarked. “That’s why this is so hard. He knew what it puts people through.”

In a shocking twist, Andre allegedly took the life of his beloved cat, Jake, which has left friends feeling bewildered. “I don’t know if he got religious and wanted to take the cat with him,” Calloway reflected. “It’s devastating. I’m angry it happened like this.” Andre’s love for Jake was well-known, and he often shared videos of their time together.

Those closest to Andre are now organizing a memorial to honor his life while raising awareness about mental health issues. “I want to remember the person he was, not the person he decided to be,” expressed Gilchrist. Friends are aiming to remember Andre as a compassionate and generous individual in the wake of this heartbreaking incident.

The investigation remains ongoing as police await the final report from the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office.