A murder-suicide investigation has been launched after a family of six were found dead in an SUV in their garage in Texas from apparent ca...
A murder-suicide investigation has been launched after a family of six were found dead in an SUV in their garage in Texas from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning after police found a 'cryptic note' and chemical odor at their home.
Jared Esquibel Harless, 38, his 36-year-old wife, four children and two cats were found dead at the home in San Antonio on Thursday night.
Police have so far only released the ages of the wife and children - two boys aged four and 11-months and two girls three and one.
Esquibel Harless is a US Army soldier assigned to the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said the smell of carbon dioxide was so strong when officers arrived that it 'kind of blew everybody back out the door.'
Pictured: The scene in San Antonio Texas after officers found a family of six, plus two pets, were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide
He said police had gone to the house for a welfare check requested by the husband's employer, who had been unable to reach him.
'They were OK yesterday because he checked in with his work,' McManus said. 'So it happened sometime overnight.'
McManus said on the front door of the home was a 'cryptic note' with military jargon, A member of the military transplated it to: 'Bodies or people inside, do not entee. The animals are in the freezer.'
The chief said the note alsop hinted at booby traps.
'Based on the note that we received, we were very cautious about going in, and we were trying to find out what was in there before we made entry,' the chief said.
When they entered, the cops were overcome by a heavy, noxious odor which turned out to be carbon monoxide.
Pictured: The scene in San Antonio Texas after officers found a family of six, plus two pets, were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus (pictured) said the smell of carbon dioxide was so strong when officers arrived that it 'kind of blew everybody back out the door'
Police said they found no explosives after they entered, McManus said.
Two cats were also found dead the front seat of the SUV.
'It's the whole picture. The adults, the children, the pets,' McManus said. 'Saying it's not pretty - there's no words to describe that.'
McManus said there was evidence 'it was not an accident' and he did not suggest that anyone outside the family was involved.
McManus said the family moved into the house in January.
Joint Base San Antonio issued a statement on Friday confirming the incident.
'Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased. Additional information will be released pending next of kin notification. The case is currently under investigation by the San Antonio Police Department and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.'
Pictured: San Antonio residents evacuating the area after a family of six were found dead in San Antonio
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