2 males, 2 females found dead in Mission Viejo home, authorities say

The bodies of two males and two females were found Tuesday in an apparent homicide in an upscale home in Mission Viejo, Orange County authorities said.

The victims’ ages, as well as their relationships, were not released.

Though he declined to state whether the potential killer was among the dead, Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said, “We don’t believe the community is in danger or there are any outstanding suspects.”

Deputies were in the process of securing a search warrant, he said.

Authorities were called by a relative at 9 a.m. to the two-story, coffee-colored house in the 25600 block of Pacific Hills Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

A woman outside the home, who gave only her initials, L.J., described those who lived there as “the perfect Christian family.” She said a mother and father live there with two children, a girl who attended ninth-grade at a local private high school and a young man of college age.

The woman said her daughter was a close friend with the girl, a 15-year-old “bundle of joy” who was home-schooled until fall. She described the father as a businessman and the mother as a homemaker who is “always making cookies.”

L.J. said she works about 10 minutes away, and when she heard that there was a homicide she quickly made her way to the area to check on her friends.

L.J. said her daughter and the 15-year-old girl are close friends who recently went to Hollywood to visit the Walk of Fame and catch a taping of “America’s Got Talent.”

She recalled visiting the family home on Valentine’s Day, noticing that among the holiday-themed balloons and decorations was the family Christmas tree.

“It’s Christmas all year round. We love to celebrate,’” she recalled the mother saying.

One resident, who moved to the area in 2005, described his neighbors as “very kind people.” The mother and two kids immediately came over to welcome her family to the area, with the son giving them brownies he baked.

The home, close to hiking trails and Mission Viejo City Hall, is always decorated elaborately for Halloween and Christmas, the neighbor said.

Onlookers and representatives of the news media were kept at bay as homicide investigators worked inside.