Authorities in Boston have identified a mother and two children who died in a suspected murder-suicide after their bodies were found outside a parking garage on Christmas Day.
Erin Pascal, 40, and her two children — Allison, 4, and Andrew, 16 months — were identified in a Thursday news release from Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins.
“Our investigation is showing the two children fell first, and then the parent after,” Rollins told WBUR radio on Thursday. The deaths occurred between 1:25 p.m. and 1:35 p.m. on Christmas and are believed to be a double murder-suicide.
This undated photograph provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney's office shows Erin Pascal, of the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. (Photo: Suffolk County District Attorney's office via AP)
The Renaissance parking garage, which is owned by Northeastern University, has been the site of two other suicides this year, Rollins’ release said.
One of those deaths drew national attention in May when Boston College student, Alexander Urtula died by suicide. In total, five people have died the garage in the last seven months, according to the release.
News footage showed police on Wednesday looking at an SUV parked on top of the garage, with several doors open. Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said there were two child car seats in the vehicle.
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“This Christmas Day tragedy demonstrates the urgency of addressing mental health, suicide and homicide,” Rollins said in the release. “We have to do more to address these significant public health issues that impact all of us in Suffolk County,”
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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