ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) - The five family members found fatally shot at a home outside Cleveland on Wednesday died in an apparent murder-suicide, police said.
Elyria Police Capt. William Pelko in a statement Thursday afternoon said it appears that a 44-year-old man killed his 35-year-old wife, the couple’s 10-year-old daughter, and their two sons, ages 12 and 6.
A co-worker went to the Elyria home on Wednesday morning when the man failed to show up for work or respond to messages. The co-worker discovered bullet casings outside the home and called police, the Elyria Chronicle Telegram reported.
Some neighbors said they heard what sounded like gunshots Tuesday afternoon. A neighbor who lives two houses away said she heard what she thought were fireworks and children screaming, but thought the children were headed to the family’s backyard pool. She said she never saw them get into the pool.
The three children attended Elyria schools, which will make counselors and social workers available to students, parents and staff members on Monday.
Elyria is roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of downtown Cleveland.
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