DISTURBING

Gas Leak Call Leads to Grim Murder-Suicide Discovery

A family of two adults and three children were found dead with “obvious signs of trauma” inside the Phoenix, Arizona, home.

An early morning call reporting a gas leak turned into a full blown murder investigation on Wednesday when authorities walked into a home containing five dead bodies. Phoenix firefighters arrived to the residence near 7th and Northern avenues around 8 a.m. to discover two adults and three children with “obvious signs of trauma,” according to police, ultimately determining that the gas leak occurred after the relatives had died. Detectives are investigating the death of the family as an apparent murder-suicide, according to ABC15 Phoenix. “This scene is a complete tragedy behind us,” Sgt. Melissa Soliz told AZ Family Digital News. “Not only is this devastating to the first responders that had to respond and witness what is inside, but this neighborhood is very close knit community.” Southwest Gas, the region’s gas supplier, confirmed in a statement that there had been no leak that morning in the neighborhood’s infrastructure. “Southwest Gas crews have thoroughly inspected all natural gas infrastructure from the meter on the property to the street and surrounding area for gas leaks,” a spokesman wrote. “No leaks were found.” Local TV footage of the crime scene shows a propane tank in a taped-off area behind the home.