A mother, father and 18-year-old son were found dead of apparent gunshots.
This was updated at 8:39 a.m. and 10:25 a.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Three members of a family and their pets were found dead of apparent gunshots in a Winlock-area home last night in what the sheriff’s office believes was a double murder and suicide.
Deputies and aid were called to a house on the 300 block of Frost Road about 9:15 p.m. and detectives were on the scene until around 9 a.m. this morning.
The dead are a father, 57, mother, 65, and an 18-year-old son, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Their names have not been released.
Three dogs and a cat belonging to the family were also fatally shot, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.
Brown said there did not seem to be any forced entry into the house.
Preliminary information indicates they hadn’t been heard from since Sunday, according to Brown. An adult daughter from Tacoma who went to check on them found them last night, she said.
Brown didn’t offer any details about why detectives suspect one of them was the shooter other than to say, ” … right now, from our experience and training, that’s what it appears.”
A firearm was discovered at the scene, she said.
Brown said they weren’t speculating as to the reasons.
“Detectives will continue investigating, talking to witnesses, family members, to get a better idea of what happened,” she said.
Brown said she believes the father was a long-haul trucker.
The sheriff’s office was assisted by a team from the Washington State Patrol.
Autopsies are scheduled for tomorrow, according to the Lewis County Coroner’s Office.