Police Identify Pleasantville Family Found Dead Thursday: UPDATE

UPDATE: Friday, Dec. 6, 6:15 p.m.

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — At a Friday evening press conference, Pleasantville Police Chief Erik Grutzner identified the family found dead in their village home Thursday. They were identified as Chaun-Kai Liu, who was known in the community as Tom, his wife Dorothy Liu and their children Tennyson Liu, 7, and Adeline Liu, 4.

Grutzner said Tom Liu stabbed his wife and children to death and then used the knife to take his own life.

While no motive was discussed, police said Tom Liu was under a "considerable amount of stress."

Police said there had been no reports of domestic violence at the family's home.

The Liu family moved into the home on Romer Avenue in October 2016.

Grutzner said the investigation is not complete, and the final report from the medical examiner has not been issued.

The Bedford Road School, where Tennyson was a pupil, will be open from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday for families who want to talk with a clinical team.

"Our community is very special and I know we will support each other with kindness, compassion and care," said Schools Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter, who held back tears at a press conference on Thursday.

Written by Michael Woyton/Patch Staff

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — School district officials in this small, distraught community are working to help the 7,300 residents cope with tragedy after a family of four — two children and two adults — was found dead at home half-a-block from Pleasantville High School. They are also trying to help them cope with the media spotlight.

Police have not formally identified the dead or the causes of death, though ABC7 called it a murder-suicide and sources said the mother and children were stabbed to death.

Counselors, clinical staff and administrators in the 1,700-student school district began reaching out to families Thursday night. Friday morning before school even started, they began sharing resources for families and age-appropriate approaches for teachers.

They will also open the Bedford Road School, where one of the children was a pupil, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday for families who want to talk with a clinical team.

"Our community is very special and I know we will support each other with kindness, compassion and care," said Schools Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter.

For families who may want information on how to discuss death and grief across childhood and adolescence, Fox-Alter offered this article from the National Association of School Psychologists.

She also reminded parents that in as well as more police, residents should expect a large media presence for a while. " It is important to communicate with your children that they are under no obligation to speak with the media if they are approached."

SEE ALSO:

• Police Probe, Community Mourns Deaths In Pleasantville Home
• Support Center Set Up At Pleasantville School After 4 Deaths