Murder-suicide investigation underway

Four bodies discovered in Contra Costa County parking lot

By Caitlin Cassady

June 19, 2007

Police are investigating a possible homicide that occurred Monday night in a parking lot off of Wildcat Canyon Road in Contra Costa County, an East Bay Regional Park District Police dispatcher said this morning.

The bodies of two adults and two children were found in and near a vehicle in the Mineral Spring parking lot around 7 p.m., the dispatcher said.

The adults were found outside of the car and appeared to be suffering gunshot wounds. The children were found in the rear seat of the car and were pronounced dead at the scene as well.

The district's communication center received reports of someone setting off fireworks around 6:40 p.m., according to dispatchers. A park ranger later informed the dispatcher that the sounds could have been gunshots. A Park police officer was dispatched to investigate the incident and found the bodies.

Wildcat Canyon Road is a back road that connects Orinda and Berkeley. Officers are looking for anyone who might have been traveling along that route who can provide them with more information, according to dispatchers. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Park police detectives at (510) 881-1833.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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