The death of a West Valley City family is being investigated as a murder-suicide

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Police in Utah believe a father killed his wife and three children and critically injured their 17-year-old son at the family home this week, then turned a gun on himself, according to new releases released by authorities information emerges.

The bodies and the sole survivor were found Tuesday evening at a home in West Valley City, a southwest suburb of Salt Lake City, police first reported.

According to the West Valley Police Department, the lead agency in the case, the discovery came after the mother failed to report to work this week. A concerned relative entered the home’s garage, found a 17-year-old boy critically injured and called the police.

Arriving officers entered the home and found the 38-year-old mother and two daughters, ages 9 and 2, in an upstairs bedroom of the home, police announced in an update during a news conference Wednesday evening. The bodies of the 42-year-old father and 11-year-old son were found in the living room.

According to police, a small handgun was found under the father’s body, which police believe was used in the shooting.

“All victims appear to have suffered gunshot wounds,” police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku announced during a press conference on Thursday evening. Vainuku said investigators believe the shootings occurred sometime between Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.

Ballistic testing will determine whether the firearm was the weapon used in the crime, Vainuki added.

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The 17-year-old son was seriously injured by a shot in the head

The 17-year-old boy found in the garage was the couple’s son and suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound to the head, Vainuku said, adding that investigators believe the teenager was shot inside the home and made it out to get to the garage.

As of Wednesday evening, Vainuku said, he remained hospitalized with a “severe brain injury” and was unable to communicate with anyone.

Officials have not yet released the victim’s name as police said they are still working to notify all next of kin.

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Police continue to investigate the motive for the family’s suspected murder-suicide

On Thursday, Vainuku said investigators were continuing to investigate the suspected murder-suicide case and the motive was still under investigation.

Officers found no note at the scene and there was no history of domestic violence in that home’s records, Vainuku said.

“We understand how frustrating it is when an incident of this magnitude happens and not understanding why. We know people want to know why. We want to know why,” Vainuku said. “The truth is we may never know. It’s hard to understand.”

Late Wednesday evening, the city released a statement on behalf of Mayor Karen Lang and the City Council that read:

“It is with heavy hearts that we ask the community to show support to the family affected by the tragedy in our community,” the city’s post on X reads. “We also ask for support for our first responders.” We are working diligently working to find answers. Together we will work to heal as a community.

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A worried relative and no signs of an emergency

The night before police entered the home to find the bodies, a concerned relative contacted police and said he had not heard from any of the family members he kept in regular contact with.

Officers attended the home, but no one responded, police reported. Officers looked through the home’s windows and spoke to neighbors but found no signs of an emergency or crime and asked the family member to stay in touch, Vainuku said.

When the mother did not report for work, the relative visited the house, entered the garage and found the injured 17-year-old son.

The teen remained hospitalized in critical condition early Thursday.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact West Valley Police.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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