Miami-Dade police are probing a tragic murder-suicide incident that claimed the lives of a family of four, as confirmed by authorities on Monday.
According to a press release, officers responded to an apartment at 17400 NW 68th Ave. just after 9 p.m. on Sunday for a welfare check on the family. Upon arrival, they detected a strong odor emanating from the apartment.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue was summoned to the scene to assist in gaining entry. Inside the residence, officers discovered four individuals deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Authorities believe that the 60-year-old father shot his 50-year-old partner, their 18-year-old son, and their 13-year-old daughter before ending his own life.
Family members identified the father as Victor Penalba and the mother as Yumara Martinez, noting that the couple had been together on and off for two decades but were not legally married. Their children were named Jason Penalba and Stephanie Penalba.
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An uncle informed Local 10 News reporter Alex Finnie that the family had been deceased for two weeks before they were checked on.
The investigation into the tragic incident remains ongoing.