Authorities are investigating what caused the death of a U.S. Coast Guard officer, his wife and their two children, whose bodies were found inside the family's Central Florida home.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office reported deputies responded to a home in Ocalafor a welfare check on Feb. 6and found all four relatives dead.
The home is about 40 miles south of Gainesville and about 70 miles northeast of Orlando.
The department identified the victims as Yohan Sanchez, 33, Rebeca Santos, 37, Michael Melendez, 15 and Samuel Sanchez, 2.
According to the agency, just before 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, deputies responded to a residence on Banyan Track Way in Ocala for a welfare check.
Arriving deputies, the department reported, found two adults and two children dead inside their home.
Live updates:Savannah Guthrie's mom still missing as billboards go up
How did Yolan Sanchez and his family die?
According to a preliminary investigation, the agency reported, no foul play is suspected in the deaths.
In an updated post on social media, the sheriff's office wrote detectives suspected the deaths may have been the result of carbon monoxide poisoning −an invisible and odorless gas.
Officials did not release details, but the agency cautioned the victims' official cause and manner of deaths remain pending autopsy results from thelocal Medical Examiner's Office.
"Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," the department wrote.
Advertisement
Family found dead in Ocala after welfare check
According to an onlinefundraiserlaunched by Noel Sanchez, Yohan Sanchez's sister, he "proudly served as a member of the United States Coast Guard."
"Our family is grieving this unimaginable tragedy, and this fundraiser is to help cover funeral expenses and support our family during this incredibly difficult time," Noel Sanchez, of Massachusetts, wrote. "Thank you for your prayers, compassion, and support."
Her brother's rank and where he was stationed were not immediately known.
USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard for more information.
A neighbor toldthe Ocala Star-Banner, part of the USA TODAY Network, the family moved into their home about 10 months ago, and said they were "nice, friendly people who valued their privacy."
The Ocala Christian Academy Administrator Randy Osborn reported Michael Melendez was a ninth-grade student at the school.
"Faculty commended his leadership abilities and his desire to study the Bible," Osborne said. "He was deeply engaged in his local church community and was preparing to preach last Thursday evening. He enjoyed playing the piano, but more importantly, strived to serve God and others."
The case remained under investigation on Feb. 10.
Contributing:Austin L. Millerwith the Ocala Star-Banner
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Family found dead in Ocala home, carbon monoxoide poisoning suspected
