3 kids under 7 years old among family killed in murder-suicide at Delaware home, police say

The family members were found Monday night upstairs in their home.

July 10, 2018, 5:03 PM

A Delaware family of five, including three children under the age of 7, died in a “murder-suicide by gunshot,” police said.

Troopers responded to the home in Prices Corner, Delaware, Monday night and found the five bodies -- all shot dead -- upstairs, Delaware State Police said.

The husband, Matthew Edwards, 42, had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

The other family members were identified as wife Julie Edwards, 41, a 6-year-old boy, a 4-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, police said.

Their deaths have been ruled "murder-suicide by gunshot," police said.

PHOTO: Five people, including three children younger than 8, were found shot dead in a Delaware home, July 9, 2018.
Five people, including three children younger than 8, were found shot dead in a Delaware home, July 9, 2018.
WPVI
PHOTO: Five people, including three children younger than 8, were found shot dead in a Delaware home, July 9, 2018.
Five people, including three children younger than 8, were found shot dead in a Delaware home, July 9, 2018.
WPVI

Neighbors said they saw the family outside the home Sunday, ABC Philadelphia station WPVI-TV reported.

Neighbor Brian Covenko told WPVI Matthew Edwards often played outside with the three children.

"I don't know what happened inside, but I know he was outside with his kids a lot," Covenko said.

"We're kind of in shock,” Covenko added. “We were really friendly with them.”

PHOTO: Five people, including three children younger than 8, were found shot dead in a Delaware home, July 9, 2018.
Five people, including three children younger than 8, were found shot dead in a Delaware home, July 9, 2018.
WPVI

The Delaware State Police homicide unit is investigating.

"There is no concern for safety in the surrounding area," police said.