Feb. 10 (UPI) — Authorities say they have recovered the charred remains of six family members from a burned house near Philadelphia, five of whom are believed to have been slain by a relative who also died.
Delaware County, Pa., District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer on Friday confirmed the deaths and identities of six people who died in East Lansdowne earlier this week.
Two officers who initially responded to the scene on Wednesday were injured by gunfire.
Officials released the names of those who lived at the home as Canh Van Le, 42; Xuong Le, 40; Britni N. McLaughlin, 37; Natalya Le, 17; Nakayla Le, 13; and Xavier Le, 10.
However, official identification as well as the causes of death had yet to be determined by county’s chief Medical Examiner.
“These are charred remains. They are unrecognizable human remains,” Stollsteimer said. “Not only was there an intense fire, but the building collapsed on these folks as they were in there.”
Following a preliminary investigation, police believe Canh Van Le killed his brother, Xuong, and Xuong’s wife, McLaughlin, and their three children, but would have to wait until the conclusion of the autopsy to know whether the victims were shot before the fire started.