The deaths of two people found in a D Street home on Friday night appear to be a murder-suicide, according to the Eureka Police Department.
Officers responding to a welfare check call around 8 p.m. forced their way into the residence on the 3200 block where they found a man and woman dead. Both had “lacerations,” according to an EPD release, and the man’s appeared to be “self-inflicted.”
The release states that the coroner’s office has not released “positive identifications or causes of death of the two decedents.” Autopsies are scheduled for later this week.
Few other details are being released at this time, with the department requesting the public’s patience.
“These types of cases are difficult and we are very mindful of the information that we release, not only due to legalities, but also in respecting the families of those involved,” the EPD release states.
According to information released Saturday, officers forced their way into the home after trying for several minutes to contact the occupants, stating that based “on the details of the call, the lack of contact, and observations made at the scene, officers believed exigent circumstances existed.”
Read the full press release the EPD below:
On August 3, 2018, at about 8:08 p.m., officers of the Eureka Police Department (EPD) responded to the 3200 block of D Street for a welfare check call.
Based on the totality of the circumstances, officers ultimately forced entry into the residence. Officers located a deceased female with multiple lacerations and a male subject who also had lacerations. The male’s injuries appeared self-inflicted.
Deputies of the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office later responded and took custody of the decedents.
Based on the investigation to this point, all indications are that this was a murder/suicide incident. The Coroner’s Office has not released positive identifications or causes of death of the two decedents. Autopsies are scheduled for early this week.
The Eureka Police Department recognizes that there is a great deal of interest in this case and that the public and the media have many questions. However, we are asking for patience with this investigation. These types of cases are difficult and we are very mindful of the information that we release, not only due to legalities, but also in respecting the families of those involved.
Upon positive identification of the subjects and confirmation of the notification of next of kin, a more detailed statement will be released.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Senior Detective Cosetti at 707-441-4315.
This article appears in The Flower Dancers.
