VIDEO: Police identify family of 5 found dead in apparent murder-suicide near Orlando Police identify family of 5 found dead in apparent murder-suicide near Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. – Police have identified the victims of an apparent murder-suicide inside a house in the East Park neighborhood of Orlando on Tuesday afternoon.
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Investigators said the people killed were Stephanie Renee Ramirez, 39; Alyssa Berumen, 23; Sunny Ramirez, 11; and Shelby Rose Ramirez, 7 years old.
Police said Donovan Michael Ramirez, 45, has been identified as a suspect in connection with the deaths.
Read: “You feel touched by this”; Neighbors react after the family is found dead in an apparent murder-suicide
On Tuesday, Orlando police responded to a home along Lake District Lane for a welfare check around 1 p.m.
Officers who entered the home found the victims, three adults and two children, dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
See a map of the scene below:
Neighbor Justin Rossilini said the family had moved into the neighborhood just a couple of months ago.
“They looked very normal,” Rossilini said. “Very, very nice. Like I said, they’ve only been there for two months.”
Read: Shock, heartbreak on streets outside murder-suicide home
Heather Collins said she had no idea anything had happened until they saw officers outside the home.
“It’s actually scary if you ask me that something so horrible could be happening near you and there’s no one to help,” she said.
Police said a firearm was found at the scene. However, the medical examiner’s office has not yet determined the exact cause of death.
The family told Channel 9 off camera they were emotionally lost and speechless.
Read: Family of 5 found dead in apparent murder-suicide, Orlando police say
Detectives said it appears the deaths were the result of a “domestic violence related incident.”
Mental health specialist Dwight Bain said he fears this type of violence will become more common as the pressures in life continue to mount.
“Just because people have economic opportunity doesn’t mean they’re happy,” Bain said. “In terms of happiness, we don’t do well in mental health areas, Central Florida as a whole.”
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Officials are reminding the community that if you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation, there are free resources to help.
— Harbor House of Central Florida’s 24/7 confidential crisis hotline: (407) 886-2856.
— Central Florida Victim Services Center’s 24/7 hotline: (407)-500-HEAL.
— National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (in English and Spanish): 1-800-799-7233.
— United Way of Central Florida 211 Services: Call or text 211 for confidential domestic abuse assistance and other services.
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