A family of four that recently moved from Switzerland to Utah were found dead in their home in what authorities suspect is a murder-suicide.
Officers responded to the Mapleton residence after receiving a call from a concerned neighbor, who reported not seeing the family for a while.
“He hadn’t seen any activity at the home for a few days,” Mapleton Police Chief John Jackson told KUTV. “The cars hadn’t moved for a few days and there were no lights on.”
Jackson in a statement said the family moved from Switzerland in July after Timothy Griffith was transferred from Nestle to the Stouffers in Springville.
Authorities found the 45-year-old father dead in his new home Thursday, along with his 42-year-old wife Jessica Griffith, his step daughter, Samantha Badel, 16, 5-year-old son Alexendre Griffith and the family dog.
All of them died from apparent gunshot wounds, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
A family friend told KUTV the move “was a dream come true” for the family.
When they moved in, a neighbor recalled how “they hugged and kissed and the little boy jumped up and down.”
“They were so affectionate,” she told the news station. “Nothing makes sense.”
Police have a search warrant for the home and are currently investigating. Officers said they hope the state medical examiner “will be able to shed more light on what is believed to have transpired at the home.”