ORLANDO, Fla. – Three adults and two children were killed in an apparent murder-suicide inside a Lake Nona-area home, according to the Orlando Police Department.
Police said they were called to the home on Lake District Lane, near Moss Park Road and State Road 417, for a well-being check.
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Officers said they arrived at the home around 1 p.m. and found five people dead.
Cody Eades, a neighbor who didn’t know the family, was in disbelief.
“This can’t be happening. This really can’t. It’s devastating for this neighborhood and for their family to hear about this probably on the news,” Eades said. “If you are feeling that kind of way, don’t bring anyone else into (it). There are so many people to talk to if you are feeling that type of way. Any men out there, any women out there, any children, please go out and seek help. It is very important for your mental health to take care of yourself.”
Eades told News 6 that a couple began renting the home about two months ago. He added that the couple had a son in his 20s and two daughters around the age of 6 or 7.
In addition, the neighbor told News 6 that the first OPD officer to enter the home came back out and became ill in front of Eates.
J.J. Vargas, another neighbor, said he felt bad for the children because “they have nothing to do with any of this.”
Vargas said he hugged his own children and told them about what happened.
“They might be friends from school,” he said. “Like I said, we’ve been here for almost 20 years, so they’re bound to know these kids. We’ll wait and see.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.