Mother Suspected Of Strangling 3 Kids, Killed Herself: Danbury Police

DANBURY, CT — Police have identified the four people found dead at 10 Whaley Street on Wednesday night.

The Danbury Police Department has confirmed the deceased as Sonia Loja, 36; Junior Panjon, 12; Joselyn Panjon, 10; and Jonael Panjon, 5.

Sonia was the mother of the children, who appear to have died by strangulation, according to police. Investigators said they suspect the mother's cause of death was asphyxia by hanging.

"Pending an official autopsy, preliminary findings indicate that Ms. Loja strangled her three children before killing herself," Det. Capt. Mark Williams said in a statement.

Autopsies of the deceased are planned at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington.

In a statement released Thursday, Mayor Dean Esposito said: "A truly horrible event occurred in our city yesterday and we mourn the tragic loss of life. In the coming days, mental health and counseling services will be provided through collaboration with the Danbury Public Schools and the City of Danbury. Our community grieves for the innocent lives taken from us. We will get through this together."

Two of the three children killed were students in the Danbury Public Schools, according to Superintendent Kevin Walston.

"Losing children to violence is becoming far too common in our nation and events such as these shine a light on the challenges communities face, specifically around mental health, that leave so many people vulnerable," Walston said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

The Public Schools have assembled a Pupil Services team that will be available at Morris Street School and Westside Middle School on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Danbury police officers were first called to the home around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for a well-being check by a caller who was "distraught and crying," according to police. They found the Panjon children dead inside. Police discovered the body of their mother in the home's outside shed.

Investigators later learned that the mother and children lived at the residence with two other adults, who were not present when the officers arrived. They and other extended family members have been contacted and advised of the incident.

The investigation remains active.