Filicide

Filicide is the act or fact of a parent, especially a father, killing his or her own son or daughter, or a parent who has committed such an act. Filicide is usually a father killing a son. In some cultures, killing a daughter who has disgraced the family is a common occurrence. Marvin Gaye is a famous victim of filicide. The word filicide derives from the Latin word filius (Latin for "son").

Known or suspected filicides

• Marvin Pentz Gay, Sr - Shot his son Marvin Gaye during an argument in Los Angeles, California, in 1984.
• Susan Smith - Drowned her two sons Michael and Alex in a maroon Mazda Protegé in Union, South Carolina, in 1994. She was sentenced to life in prison in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1995.
• Andrea Yates - Drowned her children in a bathtub in 1999. She is currently on trial.