CO deaths in Wakefield, New Hampshire: 4 victims identified

Investigators released more information Friday about the four people found dead in a Wakefield home on Christmas Day. The victims were Matthew Goldstein (52), Lyla Goldstein (54), Valerie Goldstein (22) and Violet Goldstein (19). According to investigators, they were from Newton, Massachusetts. Linus Guillory, superintendent of Brookline Public Schools in Massachusetts, said Matthew Goldstein was an educator and member of the Baker School community. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues and students during this deeply difficult time.” “We are committed to providing the Baker School community with the support and resources they need as we mourn this tremendous loss together,” said Guillory. Autopsy results released Friday morning show that Matthew Goldstein died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The manner of his death is still pending. Investigators said the cause and manner of death of the other three victims remain undetermined. Officials said investigators are continuing to investigate the cause of the suspected carbon monoxide leak. State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said the home’s gas heating system was a focus of the investigation. The call came in to Wakefield first responders around 4:20 p.m. on Christmas Day. Family members had asked for a welfare check when the victims failed to show up at a holiday gathering. When officers arrived at the single-family home on Province Lake Road, which is in a wooded area near the northern tip of Balch Lake, they found four adults already dead. Neighbors of the Goldsteins said they were in shock at the news. “It’s just my deepest condolences. You know, it’s a terrible tragedy. How can you not feel anything? Do you know what I’m saying? It’s so sad, especially around the holidays,” a neighbor said. Toomey said the home did not have working carbon monoxide detectors. Toomey added that symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to those of the flu, so it can be a little harder to recognize this time of year.

WAKEFIELD, N.H. –

Investigators released more information Friday about the four people found dead in a Wakefield home on Christmas Day.

The victims were Matthew Goldstein (52), Lyla Goldstein (54), Valerie Goldstein (22) and Violet Goldstein (19). According to investigators, they were from Newton, Massachusetts.

Linus Guillory, superintendent of the Public Schools of Brookline in Massachusetts, said Matthew Goldstein was an educator and member of the Baker School community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues and students at this deeply difficult time. We are committed to providing the Baker School community with the support and resources it needs as we mourn this tremendous loss together,” said Guillory.

Autopsy results released Friday morning show that Matthew Goldstein died of carbon monoxide poisoning and the manner of his death remains unclear. Investigators said the cause and manner of death of the other three victims remain undetermined.

Officials said investigators are continuing to investigate the cause of the suspected carbon monoxide leak. State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said the home’s gas heating system was a focus of the investigation.

The call came in to Wakefield first responders around 4:20 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Family members had asked for a welfare check when the victims failed to show up for a holiday gathering.

When officers arrived at the single-family home on Province Lake Road, which is in a wooded area near the northern tip of Balch Lake, they found four adults already dead.

Neighbors of the Goldsteins said they were shocked by the news.

“It’s just my deepest condolences. You know, it’s a terrible tragedy. How can you not feel anything at all? Do you know what I’m saying? It’s so sad, especially around the holidays,” said a neighbor.

Toomey said the home did not have working carbon monoxide detectors.

Toomey added that symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to those of the flu, so it can be a little harder to recognize this time of year.