The mysterious deaths of five Utah family members in their Springville home baffled authorities at first.
Benjamin and Kristi Strack were found dead on their bed on September 27. On the floor near them in the locked master bedroom lay the bodies of three of their children, from 11 to 14 years old.
There were no signs of violence, but beside each body, there were cups with liquid inside.
On Tuesday, police in Springville revealed the conclusion of their investigation: The parents had committed suicide by taking toxic levels of drugs and had given fatal levels of drugs — including the heroin substitute methadone — to their younger two children.
Their 14-year-old son, Benson, also had taken toxic levels of drugs, but the manner of death was ruled “could not be determined” because investigators were unsure whether he was capable of deciding to join his parents in committing suicide.
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In an audio recording of the 911 call made from the house, also released by police, an emotional-sounding young woman can be heard saying that “the whole family is dead” and that they’ve “killed themselves.”
Finlayson expressed his condolences to Strack family relatives, saying the unexpected nature of the deaths must have intensified their shock and grief.
“In a case such as this one, where this family has lost not one, but five family members, the deep emotional pain must be incredibly difficult. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family,” his statement said.
CNN’s Teri Genova contributed to this report.
