The RCMP has confirmed a double shooting in the south-central Newfoundland town of Hermitage last week was a murder-suicide.

In a statement released Tuesday, police say Goldie Loveless, 34, was shot to death outside her home by her common-law husband, Shawn Skinner, 38, who then killed himself.

The couple left behind three children — two daughters, ages three and eight, and a 14-year-old boy.

The two girls were asleep in the couple's home when the bodies were discovered last week by Loveless's father. The teenager was sleeping at a relative's house.

All three children are being cared for by relatives. 

A member of the rock band Barenaked Ladies is among those trying to raise money for the children.

Singer-guitarist Ed Robertson was in Hermitage last week filming part of a new television series called Ed's Up.

Loveless's brother-in-law, Steve Crewe, said Robertson is helping to set up a trust fund for the children.

"I guess through that he found out about the tragedy that happened here in Hermitage and where there was three kids left," said Crewe.

"So after that, they kind of set up a little event in Bay D'Espoir where they raised, I think it was a couple thousand dollars for the kids."

Members of the public can also make donations to the trust fund at the Hermitage Credit Union.

It is unusual for police to confirm murder-suicides, but the RCMP say it is also important to talk about family violence.