Police recording sheds light on initial response at Harrow home where Walsh family members were found dead
CBC
Warning: This story contains a reference to possible suicide and disturbing details.
A police radio recording provides more details about the response to a sudden death investigation in Harrow, Ont., that resulted in the discovery of the bodies of four family members in their home last week.
The newly released audio includes the initial impressions of officers after arriving at the rural home on 1200 County Road 13 where the bodies of Carly and Steven Walsh and their children, Madison, 13, and Hunter, 8, were discovered.
"We got what appears to be a male party, possible suicide by a shotgun," an officer says in the recording.
"Need to clear this residence, look for the female party."
A few minutes later, the officer confirms they found three bodies, and that's followed by fellow officers responding to a dispatch call for any additional units available to attend the scene.
An officer later confirms in the recording that four bodies were found inside the home. However, police still haven't confirmed any details of how the family members died.
Ontario Provincial Police have said members of the Essex County detachment visited the home on the afternoon of June 20 to do a well-being check.
The recording offers a window into the first moments of an investigation that police have described as complex.
When CBC News asked OPP about the recording, spokesperson Derek Rogers said police were "unable to provide any additional comment of confirmations while the investigation remains ongoing."
The community continues to grieve and pay tribute to members of the family as the funeral services approach.
Earlier this week, Families First funeral home in Windsor released the obituary for Carly and the two children, as well as information on the visitation and funeral in Windsor that are set for Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
Steve Walsh was mentioned in the obituary but his funeral plans have not yet been announced.
Julie Lalonde, an advocate for women's rights who educates people on gender-based violence, said police need to be forthcoming with information.
Jenelle Hughes says she worries every time her two older children take their car to get to Fanshawe College in London, Ont., from their home in Dutton.
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