Two young brothers were found dead inside their father’s home in Canada after a concerned visitor requested a police welfare check, authorities said.
Their father was later discovered dead in a vehicle that had caught fire in a highway parking lot outside Ottawa.
Investigators are examining the deaths as a suspected murder-suicide, a tragedy that has shaken the local community.
The children, ages seven and 12, were found inside a townhouse Monday morning after officers were called to the address at about 10 a.m.
Police said they believe the boys’ father was involved in their deaths.
His body was later located at a carpool lot off Highway 416, about 21 miles south of the home, in what investigators believe was a suicide.
Authorities are continuing to reconstruct the sequence of events and are also looking into whether a separate commercial fire more than 60 miles away may be linked to the case.
Police stressed that there is currently no evidence of an ongoing threat to the public.
Two brothers, aged 7 and 12, were found dead inside their father’s Ottawa home after police carried out a welfare check. Investigators are treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide
‘Investigators continue to assess the connections between these incidents and do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public,’ Ottawa police said.
‘This investigation is ongoing and complex,’ the Ottawa Police Service said after confirming the deaths of the two boys.
Superintendent Jamie Dunlop told reporters the children’s parents were divorced and the brothers had been staying at their father’s home.
The welfare check was not requested by the boys’ mother, but by another individual who became concerned after visiting the property.
‘It was an individual who had a reason to go by the home to check on the condition of the house, was concerned when nobody answered the door and contacted police to come and do a wellness check,’ Dunlop said during a news conference on Monday.
It was when officers entered the home, they made the grim discovery.
Investigators are now interviewing the boys’ mother, relatives and friends as they work to establish exactly what happened.
Dunlop said there are other children connected to the family, but stressed police are confident ‘they’re all in good care at the moment.’
He described the deaths as an unimaginable tragedy for everyone affected.
Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police are working closely together as they investigate the incidents
‘Obviously it’s a very tragic incident for the families, the friends, the neighbors. Certainly when children are involved, it’s extra difficult to understand,’ Dunlop said.
Forensic teams continued examining the home on Monday afternoon. Several townhouses on Mandevilla Crescent remained sealed off behind police tape while officers searched for evidence.
The deaths also prompted an outpouring of grief from local leaders.
Riverside South-Findlay Creek Councillor Steve Desroches wrote on social media: ‘I am shocked & deeply saddened to learn of the tragic deaths in Findlay Creek today, including 2 young children.’
‘This is a heartbreaking tragedy & my thoughts are with the family & friends at this difficult time.’
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also expressed his condolences, calling it ‘a very difficult day for our community.’
‘I’m shocked and heartbroken to learn of the tragic deaths of two children in the south end of our city. There are no words to describe this immeasurable loss, my thoughts are with everyone grieving today, especially the family and their close friends. I encourage everyone who needs help to reach out for support,’ he said.
Police said the father had only limited prior contact with law enforcement. His death is being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police.
Investigators are also working closely with the Ottawa Police Service to determine whether a fire at a commercial property may also be connected.
