Waay 31 is taking a deeper look at mental health and its connection to domestic violence. The number of deadly cases appears to be on the rise.

Connie Kane with the Crisis Center of North Alabama told WAAy 31 she doesn't believe the recent spike in murder-suicides are all connected to mental illness.

"I think most people who have mental health issues are not a danger to others, and I think people who are a perpetrator of domestic violence are a danger to other people," said Connie Kane.

Kane said many times the perpetrator first threatens the victim, even going as far as threatening to kill them.

"You might be extremely jealous and you decide that you you don't want anyone else to have that individual, so you take their life," Kane said.

So far this summer, more than 10 people died as parts of murder-suicides in Limestone County.

Morgan County had two murder-suicides so far this year, including one this past weekend.

A gun was used in all these crimes because according to Kane it's an impulsive weapon.

"Once you pull the trigger, there's no going back and then you kind of look at what's happened. Who knows what someone thinks after you've killed someone in your family. You decide to go on and kill yourself," Kane said.

Kane said it's hard for others to notice signs of domestic violence in a family or couple. Very often, people in the community never know there’s a problem until it’s too late.

"I've got a lot of clients who say that people just love my husband or my ex-boyfriend. They think he's a wonderful guy," Kane said.

Substance abuse is another factor that could lead to a murder-suicide.