A US Coast Guard officer, his wife and their children were found dead in their Florida home as officials fear the family suffered carbon monoxide poisoning – just hours after speaking to his mother on the phone.
The bodies of 33-year-old Yohan Sanchez, his wife Rebeca Santos, 15-year-old son Michael Melendez and 2-year-old son Samuel Sanchez were discovered in their home in Ocala, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) outside Orlando, during a “welfare check” around 10:30 p.m. Friday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said announced Monday.
Sanchez’s heartbroken mother, Jackie Soto, said she spoke to her son just hours before his death.
“I don’t believe it. This is my baby,” Soto said Fox 35.
She described their conversation as brief and routine, adding that he was baking a cake at the time.
Authorities said there is no evidence of foul play and that the family appears to have been fatally exposed to the highly toxic, odorless gas.
“Investigators suspect the deaths may be the result of carbon monoxide poisoning; however, the official cause of death is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Detectives continue to investigate the deaths.
“Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,” the department added.
Sanchez’s sister, Noel Sanchez, said her brother “proudly served” in the Coast Guard Reserve before retiring last year, she wrote in a post GoFundMe page set up to help cover funeral costs for the young family.
The veteran’s brother, Sendy Sanchez, said WESH 2 that the family’s pastor checked on them for the first time Thursday after they missed a church event, but left when the house seemed dark and quiet.
When the pastor returned Friday and again received no answer, he called 911.
Neighbor Alexander James told the newspaper that the family were “really nice,” saying they had lived in the house for about 10 months and had maintained a good relationship with the neighbors.
His brother also told the newspaper that Sanchez and Santos met at church in Massachusetts before moving to Florida about a year ago.
Sendy described his brother as a deeply committed Christian who dedicated his life to his family, faith and public service.
“No one expects this kind of tragedy,” he said. “We are just devastated.”
Ocala Christian Academy administrator Randy Osborn told the Ocala Star Banner that Michael, a ninth-grader at the school, was deeply involved in his church community and had prepared for the Thursday evening sermon.
The faculty “commended his leadership qualities and his desire to study the Bible,” Osborn said.
“He enjoyed playing the piano, but more importantly, he strove to serve God and others.”
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