Family of five found dead in Phoenix home ‘with obvious signs of trauma’
A family of five was found dead in a shocking scene inside a Phoenix home Wednesday morning, and their causes of death remain unclear.
Two adults and three children were dead “with obvious signs of trauma,” Phoenix police Sgt. Melissa Soliz told reporters at a press conference. The victims have not been publicly identified.
Police have launched a homicide investigation. However, Soliz said, “We do not believe that there is a suspect on the loose right now.”
Citing sources, local ABC affiliate KNXV reported that police were investigating the case as a murder-suicide. However, Soliz would not confirm that.
“That’s something that we’ll still need to look at,” she said. “It’s not something we’re comfortable saying at this point.”
An initial 911 call just after 8 a.m. described the scene as a hazmat situation, and first responders detected gas inside the home when they arrived. Authorities evacuated nearby houses, and local utility Southwest Gas cut service to the home.
A hazmat team spent several hours inspecting the home before declaring it safe it for police investigation in the early afternoon.
Southwest Gas told local outlets that no leaks were found in the area and said, “All Southwest Gas infrastructure serving the community is operating without issue.”
A propane tank was seen cordoned off outside the home. Soliz stressed that the investigation was in its very early stages.
“This scene will most likely be processed by detectives for the majority of the day into the night,” she said.
