DANBURY, Conn. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A mother apparently strangled her three children before killing herself at a home in Connecticut, police said Thursday as they identified the victims.
“The children all appear to have died by strangulation, and the mother's suspected cause of death is asphyxia by hanging,” Danbury police said in a statement.
Officers went to the home on Whaley Street in Danbury at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for a wellbeing check after a call from a man who was distraught and crying, Chief Patrick Ridenhour said. The man's relationship to the mom and kids wasn't immediately known.
Officers found the three children—ages 5 through 12—dead in the house and their mother dead in a shed in the backyard.
The mother was identified as Sonia Loja, 36, while the children were identified as Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5.
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With an autopsy pending and the investigation ongoing, police said preliminary findings show the mom strangled her three children before killing herself.
Police said the mom and kids lived at the home with two other adults, who weren’t there at the time.
“A truly horrible event occurred in our city yesterday and we mourn the tragic loss of life,” Mayor Dean Esposito said in a statement Thursday.
“In the coming days, mental health and counseling services will be provided through collaboration with the Danbury Public Schools and the City of Danbury. Our community grieves for the innocent lives taken from us. We will get through this together,” Esposito said.
If you are in a crisis or have a family member or friend who needs help, you are not alone. Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
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