3 Dead in California home identified as siblings who committed suicide
Authorities say three people found dead in a fire-gutted home in Southern California were all siblings who committed suicide.
Barabara Alva
Christine Alva
George Alva
Los Angeles County Coroner’s Lt. Fred Corral reports Friday that 47-year-old Christine Alva, 49-year-old Barbara Alva and 53-year-old George Alva all died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head.
The three bodies were found back on December 6 in the remains of a house fire with two dead dogs, two dead cats, 22 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
“When adult family members come to a decision (to kill themselves), many times what it is, is a pact,” said Carolann Peterson, adjunct professor at the USC School of Social Work. “They’ve made a decision together that this is what we’re going to do,” Peterson said. “In this case, it sounds more along the lines of a suicide pact.”
The Alva’s mother died several years ago and their father passed away earlier this year, relatives and friends said.
“How much depression were they all in from the death of their parents?,” Peterson added. “We don’t know the history and dynamics of the household. We don’t know if any of the siblings took any counseling for grief.”
The siblings had ongoing disputes with their neighbors but police said the disputes only involved minor issues such as noise complaints.
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“Dongs” has been corrected to reflect the “dead dogs” found inside
Two dead “dongs”? Seriously? Does anybody do copy editing anymore?