DORAL, Fla. — A man, woman and two young girls were found dead inside a South Florida home in what investigators believe was a murder-suicide, authorities said.
Victims Identified
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, investigators believe 42-year-old Ryan Charles Whiten fatally stabbed 46-year-old Melanie Lauren Hyer and their daughters, 11-year-old Savannah Whiten and 8-year-old Sienna Whiten, before taking his own life.
All four victims were found with stab wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Welfare Check Led to Discovery
Police responded to a welfare check request at a residence in Doral on Tuesday evening. Upon entering the home, officers discovered the family unresponsive.
Authorities said Ryan Whiten was the biological father of the two girls, while Hyer was their mother.
Investigation Ongoing
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Homicide Bureau is investigating the case and currently believes the deaths resulted from a murder-suicide.
Detectives are continuing to work with the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office as officials seek to determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
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