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Enoch in Utah: Messages of condolence near crime scene
Photo: Laura Seitz/AP
After the bodies of eight members of a family were found in the US state of Utah, initial investigations now suggest that the father shot his family and then himself.
The 42-year-old suspect's victims are his wife, 40, mother-in-law, 78, and five children, ranging in age from four to 17, city spokesman Enoch said at a news conference.
The wife filed for divorce in December, Mayor Geoffrey Chesnut said.
The bodies were discovered on Wednesday when the police wanted to check on the well-being of the family after reports of missing persons.
"It's not often that something like this happens in the immediate vicinity," Mayor Chesnut said, fighting back tears.
The family lived in his neighborhood.
"The youngest children played in my garden with my sons."
Message of condolences from the US President
On Tuesday evening, the mother and one of her daughters were seen at an event in the church, it said.
The family was known to the police because of previous investigations, a police officer said.
Recently there has been no contact with the family.
Enoch is a small agricultural town about 400 kilometers south of Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah.
In a statement of condolence, US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill spoke of a "tragic" event.
"Too many Americans have lost loved ones or had their lives forever changed by gun violence, and gun violence remains the leading cause of death for children in America."
wit/dpa