LOS ANGELES —
Los Angeles police say a man and woman were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide but two young children found in their home were unharmed.
On April 14, police found a 46-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman dead at a condominium in the Chatsworth area. Police say the man apparently shot his wife as she lay in bed in an upstairs room, then killed himself.
Police have hailed the little girl as a hero for keeping her brother alive for “several” days following their parents’ deaths.
“Our little angel was able to keep herself and her brother alive,” said Los Angeles Police Capt. Maureen Ryan, according to Fox 11. “The baby is a miracle baby and the little girl is a hero. She’s an absolute hero.”
CBS Los Angeles reports the kids were found by a neighborhood couple who became concerned after police conducted a welfare check but found nothing suspicious. It is not clear if officers initially entered the home or only knocked on the door.
Olivia and James Robinson told KTLA they found the children inside the home.
Olivia Robinson said she knew something was wrong when she saw the toddler girl.
“She obviously was in bad condition because she reeked really bad of urine,” Olivia said. “And she had more of a blank stare on her face. She was very, very quiet.”
The Robinsons asked the girl where her parents were.
“I think she may have said they were sleeping, but she told me that they’re upstairs and they’re hurt,” James told KTLA. “Right there, we figured it’s just not good.”
Another neighbor, Tony Medina, said that he took the girl in and fed her until police arrived.
“She heard her mom crying, and then what really was kind of heart-wrenching was when she said she saw ‘mommy was broken,’” Medina said.
The children were placed in the care of child welfare officials.
