‘All died violently’: Cops investigate homicide as 5 members of a family including 2 children found dead in Oklahoma home

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA: Five, including two children, were found dead inside a southwest Oklahoma City home by Oklahoma City police. According to police, the discovery was made at 9.35 am on Monday, April 22, while conducting a welfare check.

Sgt Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department described the deceased as a family. Knight stated via email that although the police are not yet able to disclose the investigators' conclusions, "All died violently."

Victims identified as six and nine-year-olds from Mustang Public Schools

At approximately 9.35 am, police were called to the home, which is located approximately 16 miles west of Oklahoma City's downtown, after receiving a report that bodies were present, according to Knight.

When the officers arrived, they found the five, at least two of whom were thought to be children, he said, per a News 9 report. 

It has been revealed that the two children went to Mustang Public Schools. A letter from the Mustang Public School district was sent to parents stating that another victim had graduated from Mustang last year.

The district verified that two students, ages six and nine, had died. Police, however, have not disclosed any information regarding the victims' identities.

“When officers arrived, they made entry into the home and indeed found five people in there who were deceased,” said Sgt Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police Department. “The five people had injuries all consistent with homicide.”

When more police arrived, they roped off the entire neighborhood, letting only residents pass through. Police refuted any theories about a cause given the sheer number of casualties.

“This wasn't a gas leak situation or a fentanyl-type situation, these are five people who were killed,” Sgt Knight said. At least two children are among the dead, according to the police, and their injuries are all consistent with homicide.

“We're talking about children being inside this home and being victims of this,” said Sgt Knight. "It's a very tragic, very sad situation."

It's unclear whether or not the five are related to one another or how they are connected. After arriving, crime scene investigators are expected to work through the night to process the scene inside the home, according to the police.

Knight disclosed what information his office could reveal at this early stage. “At this point just very basic preliminary information. We hope to have more information for you later,” Knight remarked.

School released letter to parents announcing tragic deaths

The letter was released for parents by Mustang Public Schools on Monday afternoon. The letter informs MPS families of the tragic deaths of two students and a recent 2023 MPS graduate at a home in the district.

It further stated that the Crisis Response Team is present at schools and will continue to be present. Parents might experience "anger, hurt, guilt, and sadness, as well as sleep disturbances, anxiety, and fears" about their friends and family's wellbeing, it noted.

The letter concluded stating that, to cope, parents should listen to their children, encourage them to express their feelings, discuss their beliefs, and monitor their children's behavior or mood.

The MPS websites https://grievingstudents.org/ and https://bit.ly/MPSmhresources provide resources for difficult conversations and counseling support.