Five family members, including three children, were discovered dead inside a West Valley City, Utah home Tuesday, while a 17-year-old with a gunshot wound was found in the garage and hospitalized, police reported. The deceased victims include two adults, an 11-year-old boy, and two girls aged 9 and 2.
Police involvement began when a relative unsuccessfully attempted to contact the home’s 38-year-old female resident on Monday. Officers initially visited the property but received no response.
The same relative later discovered the wounded teenager in the garage on Tuesday afternoon, prompting the police investigation that revealed the additional victims.
West Valley City Police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku characterized the scene as “absolutely horrific,” noting it would “weigh heavily on investigators in this case.”
The residence, located approximately 9 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, has become the focus of an intensive investigation.
Authorities believe the incident was isolated to the home, with no suspects at large. Investigation efforts face challenges due to difficulty communicating with the injured teenager.
Police continue gathering evidence from the scene and neighboring properties, including doorbell camera footage, as they work to determine the circumstances of the deaths.
The exact cause of death for the five family members has not been immediately disclosed as investigators process the scene and attempt to piece together the tragic events that unfolded in the suburban Salt Lake City home.
