Abington Family Found Dead: What We Know

ABINGTON, MA — Police are searching for answers after a family of five was found dead of gunshot wounds Monday morning in their Abington condominium. Among the dead were an 11-year-old and nine-year-old twins. Police have not ruled out murder-suicide as they investigate the cause of the deaths, which shook the community.

Here's what we know so far:

The call

A relative stopped by the family's Centre Avenue home to bring one of the children to school and found the body of mother Deirdre Zaccardi, 40. The relative called police at 7:30 a.m. Officers searched the house and found the bodies of the three other family members, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said.

Officials said the deaths might have happened overnight. Cruz did not confirm where in the house the rest of the bodies were found.

The family

Deirdre Zaccardi, 40; Joseph Zaccardi, 43; Alexis Zaccardi, 11; and twins Nathaniel and Kathryn Zaccardi, 9, were all found dead. Relatives of the Zaccardis released a statement:

"Today our family has suffered an unfathomable loss. As we attempt to make sense of the enormity of this event, we respectfully ask that the media respect our family's wishes to be left alone as we grieve our tremendous losses in private."

The community

The Abington community from the police department to the schools to neighbors were left in shock.

"It's a horrid circumstance and a tragedy all the way around," Police Chief David Majenski said. "It's a horrid event that no one should really see."

Abington Superintendent Peter Schafer said students and staff are heartbroken. Grief counselors will be available for students who need them.

"Their presence touched so many lives and there are no words to express the sadness we feel," Schafer said in a statement.

Neighbors in the condo complex were solemn and did not want to comment on the deaths.

The investigation

Officials were still investigating the deaths Wednesday morning and murder-suicide has not been ruled out. The state Medical Examiner is investigating to determine the exact cause and manner of death, Cruz said.

Read the latest update in this case.