Quadruple slaying in Orange County was murder-suicide, official says

Authorities are now investigating a quadruple slaying in a hillside Orange County home as a murder-suicide.

The presumed killer is believed to be among the four dead, Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said Tuesday afternoon.

“We don’t believe the community is in danger or there are any outstanding suspects,” he said earlier in the day.

The bodies of two males and two females were discovered in the 25600 block of Pacific Hills Drive shortly after a relative called 911 about 9 a.m.

The victims’ names and ages, as well as their relationships, are not being released, pending fingerprinting and notification of next-of-kin, Hallock said.

Hallock did not comment on how the killings were carried out.

At least one neighbor heard a scream this morning, according to news reports.

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 lived 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 of the girl, a 15-year-old “bundle of joy” who was home-schooled until last 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 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 her neighbors as “very kind people.” The mother and two children immediately came over to welcome her family to the area, and the son gave them brownies he had 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.