5 Family Members Found Dead In Elyria Home

ELYRIA, OH — Five family members were found dead inside an Elyria home on Wednesday, police announced.

“It is with great sadness that we share this tragic news,” Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield said in a statement. “This has been a challenging year — to say the least. Never did we imagine having to share the news that we’ve lost one of Elyria’s families in this way."

Among the dead were three children, between the ages of 6 and 12, according to Fox 8. The children were all members of the Elyria City Schools.

"With profound sadness we must report that the three children who died—all siblings—were students in our school district. This devastating news has deeply shaken our staff and school community," the district said in a statement.

Police have not released the identities of those found inside the home or a cause of death. Fox 8 reports that investigators believe the deaths were part of a murder-suicide.

“Elyria mourns with their family and friends who woke to such tragic news. My heart is broken for this family in particular the children. I cannot imagine the pain those close to them must feel and we send our deepest condolences and are here to support them and any of our residents who need our help," Whitfield said.