Carbon-monoxide deaths investigated as homicide
The same day 503 Falconer Place was sold in foreclosure, the house became a crime scene.
Two people, a woman in her mid-40s and a man in his 50s, were found dead inside the home on Thursday afternoon, the victims of what is believed to have been carbon monoxide poisoning. A woman in her 20s remains in hospital with undisclosed injuries related to exposure to the toxic gas.
On Friday, police said the deaths are “suspicious” and are being investigated by homicide detectives. No names are currently being released.
The two deaths shocked neighbours on the tidy, quiet block in southwest Edmonton. Randy Kuntz said the man who lived in the house returned home Wednesday from a trip to Las Vegas. A land title certificate shows the $505,000 home was in foreclosure, and the title was transferred on Wednesday to new owners who purchased it at a bank auction.
Georgina Burgess, who has lived in the neighbourhood for about 12 years, was there when the couple across the street moved into their brand-new home about 10 years ago.
“They were wonderful neighbours. Just a wonderful family,” said Burgess, who teared up as she described how the man and woman took pride in their home and yard, and always decorated their house for Halloween and Christmas.
“You just wish you reached out more,” she said.
Neighbours say the woman
“Even though you don’t know them, you still feel bad when something like this happens. It’s just pathetic that would happen. No inkling of the reason.”
NEIGHBOUR RANDY KUNTZ
in hospital is the couple’s daughter, and that she found the bodies.
Police were called to the home about 4 p.m. Thursday, and found the three people. Emergency medical crews tried to save the couple, but both were declared dead in hospital.
Kuntz said firefighters even tried to save the couple’s pet Yorkie, but the dog also died.
“Even though you don’t know them, you still feel bad when something like this happens,” said Kuntz. “It’s just pathetic that would happen. No inkling of the reason.”
The house’s new owner, Mojgan Ghaffari, said he learned something had happened only when he drove to the house on Thursday and saw emergency vehicles.
Ghaffari said his family moved to Edmonton a year ago and were excited to move from their apartment into a new house. They had planned to move in on Friday.
“We are so upset,” he said. “I don’t know what we are going to do.”