A Massachusetts prosecutor says a woman and her three children who were found dead in their home were homicide victims and police are asking the public for help with the investigation.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. announced Saturday that the victims found in West Brookfield on Thursday were killed in homicides.
Early also released their names: 38-year-old Sara Bermudez, 8-year-old Madison Bermudez, 6-year-old James Bermudez and 2-year-old Michael Bermudez.
Authorities have not released information on any suspects or a motive.
38-year-old Sara Bermudez, 8-year-old Madison Bermudez, 6-year-old James Bermudez and 2-year-old Michael Bermudez were found dead on Thursday
Several leads are being followed, with local authorities sharing with WCVB that there may gang activity involved. Early would not provide further detail relating to that claim.
Moses Bermudez had been trying to reach his wife from California, according to the Boston Globe, but failed to reach her.
Telling his sister, Rachaul, Moses had his father go check on them.
A well-being check call was done by police on Thursday and the bodies were said to have been found upstairs in a bedroom.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. announced Saturday that the victims found in West Brookfield, Massachusetts were killed in homicides
Gang activity may have been involved but a motive is unclear
The victims had stab wounds and burns, according to sources close to the investigation. Officials also detailed that there were numerous fires set inside the home, but those had run their course.
Police say a yellow plastic fuel container appeared to be missing from the home. They’re asking anyone who has seen such a container that has been discarded to call state police.
Investigators also are seeking video from any home and business surveillance cameras in the area.
According to Rachaul Bermudez, the family is shocked to have learned of the murders. Her brother, who is an offshoreman in California, rushed home and to the police station when he got the news.
The victims were found with stab wounds and several burns when police discovered their bodies on Thursday
Moses and Sara met and married before moving back to Massachusetts, four years ago, so that he could be back close to family.
‘Instead of the kids living in downtown Los Angeles and concrete, he wanted them to go on a boat, and with a fishing pole,’ Rachaul said. ‘He had a big house. He wanted to share it with everybody.’
The two had opened a bouncy house business, MJM Jumpers, and frequently rented out equipment for parties.
Their children were students at West Brookfield Elementary School, according to Quaboag Regional School District superintendent Brett Kustigian.
Investigators also are seeking video from any home and business surveillance cameras in the area
On Friday, Kustigian said the day was ‘all about supporting students, coming together [as] a community, grieving, displaying emotion, and wondering how could something like this happen.’
‘Unfortunately, there are no answers to many of our questions, but I am encouraged by the strength and resiliency of our students, staff, and the entire school community,’ he added in a statement.
West Brookfield Police Chief C. Thomas O’Donnell added that many children and parents were nervous about the news.
‘We don’t want people to be overly upset, but we do want them to be careful,’ he said.