Minnesota police have confirmed that seven members of the same family all died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
As reported by ABC News, the bodies of the family members - who all lived together - were discovered by relatives in the south Moorhead home on Saturday night. Concerns had been raised after their relatives had not heard from them for some time.
On Wednesday, authorities revealed that the cause of death is currently being investigated as apparent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Blood tests carried out by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office in St. Paul found that the deceased family members had been subjected to a lethal level of carbon monoxide.
Police are still working to put together a timeline of the death, after three of the children in the home failed to turn up to school on Friday (December 17).
The deceased family members moved from Honduras in 2013, and have been identified as Belin Hernandez, 37, Marleny Pinto, 34, Eldor Hernandez Castillo, 32, Mariela Guzman Pinto, 19, Breylin Hernandez, 16, Mike Hernandez, 7, and Marbely Hernandez, 5.
Investigators found that the carbon monoxide detector in the garage had been replaced with a smoke-only detector. Additionally, one carbon monoxide detector was found in the laundry room cabinet with its battery removed.
CBS4 adds that four of the deceased family members were found in their beds.
Police Chief Shannon Monroe said at a press conference that the lethal levels of carbon monoxide are believed to have come from a van in the garage or the house furnace. Although, technicians were unable to find a defect in the furnace that could have caused the deadly levels of carbon monoxide to enter the family home.
Further tests are being carried out to determine whether the victims had hydrogen cyanide in their blood, which would lead investigators to believe that the van would be the cause. Chief Monroe added that the van was found with a dead battery - a common factor in cases of intentional carbon monoxide exposure.
However, Monroe also stated that there is currently "no indication of any kind of criminal activity".
"Unless we find something else yet later in the investigation, right now it’s pointing toward some type of accidental situation," Monroe added.
ABC News says that Belin Hernandez and Marleny Pinto were the parents of Breylin, Mike, and Marbely. Eldor Hernandez Castillo was Belin's brother and Mariela Gusman Pinto was Marleny's niece.
Alfredo Hutar, fiancé of Mariela Guzman Pinto, told the Star-Tribune that the tragedy has left loved ones with more questions than answers.
Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson also told the Star-Tribune that they are looking at ways to help support the surviving family members moving forward.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of loss lost in this tragedy.
.jpg_C0diq4?tr=h-184)
.png_rLQKm0?tr=h-184)
