What detectives initially thought was a fatal gas leak incident turned up to be a tragic murder-suicide after the bodies of five family members, including three children, were found inside a Phoenix home early Wednesday.
Officers and firefighters responded to the residence on Augusta Avenue near 7th Avenue and Northern shortly after 8 a.m. over reports of a gas leak inside the home.
The hazmat teams investigated the scene for hours before determining that no gas was in the house and allowing officers inside just after 12:30 p.m.
Police found the lifeless bodies of two adults and three children with “obvious signs of trauma” and launched a murder-suicide investigation.
“This scene is a complete tragedy behind us,” Sgt. Melissa Soliz said. “Not only is this devastating to the first responders that had to respond and witness what’s inside, but this neighborhood is very close-knit including the extended loved ones and family members that are related to this home and this residence.”
Some cleaning workers who had worked for the family for the past six years revealed that the deceased were a couple and their three children, a 3-year-old boy and 6-month-old twin girls.
