DANBURY, CT (WFSB) – Three children and their mother were found dead in a Danbury home Wednesday.
Police identified the people who died as Sonia Loja, 36, Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5.
They said the children appeared to have been strangled. Loja’s death was suspected to be asphyxiation by hanging.
Around 6:30 p.m., officers said they responded to a welfare call at 10 Whaley St. The caller was said to be distressed and crying.
When they arrived, officers entered the single-family home and said they found three people dead, all juveniles.
While rechecking the property, they reported finding a dead woman in a shed in the backyard.
Pending an official autopsy, police said preliminary findings indicated Loja strangled her three children before killing herself. However, they still called it an active investigation.
Investigators had learned the mother and children lived at the residence with two other adults, who were not present when police initially arrived. They and other extended family members were contacted and informed of the incident.
Police said the case was an isolated incident and there was no danger to the public.
No arrests were made and they said they were not looking for any suspects.
State police said he was not involved in the investigation.
An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday morning at the Farmington Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.
“The mayor’s office and the city’s police, fire, health, education, emergency management and health departments, along with Nuvance Health, have coordinated efforts to provide services to the family and friends of the deceased,” said the detective Capt. Mark Williams, Danbury Police. “As this is also an emotionally damaging incident for first responders, services have been extended to public safety personnel who responded to the scene. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims.
“Yesterday a truly horrific event occurred in our city and we regret the tragic loss of life. In the coming days, mental health and counseling services will be provided in partnership with Danbury Public Schools and the City of Danbury,” said Mayor Dean Esposito. “Our community mourns the innocent lives that were taken they’ve taken. We’ll get through this together.”
The family says the woman had a daycare at home.
Sonia Loja was the nanny of the family. Gabriella Gomez, a family friend, says he was very good with the children. Several parents that Canal 3 spoke to would also leave their children with Loja.
“The last time she took care of my son was in June, and she called that day saying that someone told the state that she took care of the children that she needed a license or certification or something and that she can no longer take care of the children,” said Gabriella.
Gabriella’s daughter, Shayla, was friends with the 10-year-old.
“We all played together, tagged along and had a good bond,” Shayla said.
The couple went to school and summer camp together.
“You are good, loving, person and very good at everything. I wish I could see you one more time, but I can’t,” Shayla said.
The shock of what happened weighed heavily on everyone in the area.
City leaders offer support to help people cope.
“He used to ride his bike up here,” Tom Neville said.
Neville said the children at 10 Whaley Street were always a pleasure to meet.
“It’s not like we don’t know them or see them or, they’re always full of spirits and they run around and have fun. They were good kids,” Neville said.
Erna Grenier agreed, adding that her mother was always around.
“Every day those kids were out, but she was always with them amazing, they were happy with those kids, if someone came by she would say hi to them,” Grenier said.
That’s what made the news so shocking.
The investigation is still active, but so far it shows that Loja strangled the children, before hanging himself.
“That’s the big, big thing, in my opinion, when kids like that are involved. It’s horrible,” Neville said.
Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito issued a statement, offering his support not only to the family, but to the community at large:
“Yesterday a truly horrific event occurred in our city and we regret the tragic loss of life. In the coming days, mental health and counseling services will be provided through a partnership with Danbury Public Schools and the City of Danbury. Our community mourns the innocent lives taken from us. We’ll get through this together.”
Police are still trying to figure out a motive and so is Mila Reynoso, another family friend.
“Normal happy children. That it could have happened and we couldn’t realize it sometimes we wish we were closer so we could know what happened. And to have helped them,” said Reynoso.
Mila says the family was happy and wishes she had been even closer to the victims and maybe could have helped. Experts say it’s not that easy, but spending time and listening to each other could help catch a red flag.
While it may be some time before police reveal a motive, one expert who studies these types of gruesome crimes has a theory.
“Just terrible in your own neighborhood. You see it on TV all the time, but when it hits so close to home, it just could happen anywhere,” Neville said.
Dr. Kevin Barnes-Ceeney is an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven.
He said the trigger for these incidents is usually a life-changing event, such as the end of a long-term relationship or the loss of a job.
“It may be that they themselves feel that they are letting down their children or their family, or their loved ones, so they feel that everything is a failure and that life is meaningless. That could be a big one,” Barnes-Ceeney said.
The problem with trying to prevent these crimes is that there are almost no red flags.
Barnes-Ceeney said the best thing we can do is check in often.
“If we could spend a little more time listening to each other, learning from each other, and learning from each other, then maybe we can see warning signs,” he said.
Starting Monday, the city is offering mental health services and counseling for anyone who needs them.
Many parents in the district are having difficult conversations with their children about the loss of their peers. Dr Laura Saunders says parents should speak in simple, fact-based terms.
“Developmentally, you want it to be very simple. Explain things in simple terms. What I want parents to avoid is a lot of guesswork. Like maybe they did it for this reason, maybe they did it for that. I don’t think it’s helpful to do head-on any anxiety or concern that arises for the children,” Saunders said.
It will be provided by the school district’s student services support team.
These services have already been offered and provided to the family of the victims as well as to the first responders of this incident.
If you feel upset or desperate, there is help. There’s a new national crisis helpline, just call 988.
They also have services in Spanish.
Mother and her 3 children found dead in Danbury
Mother and 3 children found dead in Danbury home
Mother and her 3 children found dead in Danbury
Three children and their mother were found dead in a Danbury home Wednesday.
Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers said they responded to a welfare call at 10 Whaley St. in Danbury.
Three children and an adult were found dead in a Danbury home Wednesday.
No one is in custody and they are not looking for any suspects.
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