A Massachusetts family of four died on Christmas Day at their New Hampshire lake house after a suspected propane heating system malfunction caused lethal levels of carbon monoxide to fill the home, authorities said Friday.
The victims were identified as Matthew Goldstein, 52, an elementary school teacher in Chestnut Hill; his wife Lyla Goldstein, 54, a project manager at Microsoft; and their daughters, Valerie, 22, a teacher, and Violet, 19, a college student. The family, residents of Newton, Massachusetts, had been visiting their vacation property on Balch Lake for the holidays.
Authorities said they are investigating the source of the apparent carbon monoxide leak but noted there were no carbon monoxide alarms in the home. New Hampshire Fire Marshal Sean Toomey urged homeowners to install and regularly maintain such alarms to prevent similar tragedies.
“This has been a terribly tragic year for both fire deaths and carbon monoxide deaths,” Toomey said. “To lose a whole family of four right in the peak of the holiday season hits home even more.”
Police conducted a welfare check at the lake house around 4:20 p.m. on Christmas Day after relatives reported that the family had not arrived at a planned gathering and could not be reached. Officers found the victims inside the home, three in bedrooms and one in a bathroom, and fire crews detected elevated carbon monoxide levels.
Toomey said the family likely died overnight. An autopsy confirmed carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death for Matthew Goldstein. Autopsy results for the other victims are pending, but authorities believe the deaths were accidental.
Matthew Goldstein, who taught eighth grade at Edith C. Baker School in Brookline, Massachusetts, was remembered for his dedication to education and the arts. He also performed with the Newton Theatre Company.
“Mr. Goldstein’s dedication to inspiring students and shaping young minds has left an indelible mark,” Brookline Public Schools Superintendent Linus Guillory said.
Lyla Goldstein had worked at Microsoft for over 16 years as a principal project manager specializing in data and artificial intelligence.
Valerie Goldstein, a Syracuse University graduate, was in her first year as a Teach for America educator in North Carolina, aspiring to a future in education policy.
Violet Goldstein was a freshman at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she was remembered for her promising talent and vibrant spirit.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes carbon monoxide as a colorless, odorless gas that can kill without warning. It causes more than 400 deaths and 14,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States.
Investigators suspect the heating system malfunctioned, allowing carbon monoxide to bypass normal venting. Toomey advised homeowners to ensure heating systems are serviced regularly, chimneys are cleaned, and vents are cleared of snow or ice during winter.
