advertisement

Arizona sheriff: 3 slain in possible murder-suicide

GILBERT, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities found the bodies of a mother and her two children inside a home in suburban Phoenix in what could be a case of murder-suicide, authorities said Tuesday.

Deputies were awaiting autopsy results before making a final determination on the deaths, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

Deputies found a handgun near the woman's body, he said.

"We're leaving a little part open just in case someone else could have caused these three deaths," the sheriff said.

The sheriff identified the woman as Lisa Gerhart, saying she was 45 or 46. Her son was 17, and her daughter was 12. Arpaio did not name the children.

Arpaio said deputies will continue to seek other evidence.

Deputies went to the home on Monday night and discovered the bodies.

Homes in the unincorporated area near Gilbert are surrounded by agricultural land.

A crime scene investigator works outside a home where multiple bodies were found, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Gilbert, Ariz. Sheriff's officials say multiple dead bodies have been found inside a home in an unincorporated area of Gilbert, east of Phoenix. There's no immediate word Tuesday on how many bodies or their ages or genders. (AP Photo/Matt York) The Associated Press
A Maricopa County Sheriffs Deputy lets a crime scene van past the police tape outside a home where multiple bodies were found, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Gilbert, Ariz. Sheriff's officials say multiple dead bodies have been found inside a home in an unincorporated area of Gilbert, east of Phoenix. There's no immediate word Tuesday on how many bodies or their ages or genders. (AP Photo/Matt York) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.