Family of 4 found dead in Virginia; police call it murder-suicide

Police have determined that the deaths of four members of a family in Herndon, Va., were the result of a murder-suicide, officials said Wednesday.

In a statement, Fairfax County police said the husband shot and killed his wife and their two sons, then killed himself. All four died from gunshots to their upper bodies.

Police gave no indication of motive. Autopsies were completed on Wednesday by the medical examiner’s office.

After receiving concerned telephone calls from co-workers, police on Tuesday entered the Point Rider Lane home and found the four bodies. They were identified as Albert Peterson, 57, his wife, Kathleen, 52, and their sons, Matthew, 16, and Christopher, 13.

A candlelight vigil was scheduled Wednesday night at the family’s church, Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon.

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