Two boys, 7 and 12, found dead inside father's home after concerned visitor requested welfare check as police probe suspected murder-suicide

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:40, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 01:43, 30 June 2026 Two young brothers were found dead inside their father's home in Canada after a concerned visitor asked police to carry out a welfare check. The boys' father was also found dead in a car that was engulfed in flames in a highway parking lot outside Ottawa.  Investigators are now probing what authorities believe was a devastating murder-suicide that has rocked their community. The boys, aged seven and 12, were discovered dead inside a townhouse on Monday morning after officers were called to the property at around 10am. Police believe the children's father was also involved.  His body was later found at a carpool lot along Highway 416, roughly 21 miles south of the family home, in what investigators say they believe was a suicide. Authorities are now piecing together the events that led to the deaths, while also investigating whether a separate commercial fire more than 60 miles away is connected to the case. Police emphasized there is no indication of any continuing danger to the public. Two brothers, aged 7 and 12, were found dead inside their father's Ottawa home after police carried out a welfare check. Investigators are treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide 'Investigators continue to assess the connections between these incidents and do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public,' Ottawa police said. 'This investigation is ongoing and complex,' the Ottawa Police Service said after confirming the deaths of the two boys. Superintendent Jamie Dunlop told reporters the children's parents were divorced and the brothers had been staying at their father's home. The welfare check was not requested by the boys' mother, but by another individual who became concerned after visiting the property. 'It was an individual who had a reason to go by the home to check on the condition of the house, was concerned when nobody answered the door and contacted police to come and do a wellness check,' Dunlop said during a news conference on Monday. It was when officers entered the home, they made the grim discovery. Investigators are now interviewing the boys' mother, relatives and friends as they work to establish exactly what happened. Dunlop said there are other children connected to the family, but stressed police are confident 'they're all in good care at the moment.' He described the deaths as an unimaginable tragedy for everyone affected. Ottawa Police Service and the  Ontario Provincial Police are working closely together as they investigate the incidents 'Obviously it's a very tragic incident for the families, the friends, the neighbors. Certainly when children are involved, it's extra difficult to understand,' Dunlop said. Forensic teams continued examining the home on Monday afternoon. Several townhouses on Mandevilla Crescent remained sealed off behind police tape while officers searched for evidence. The deaths also prompted an outpouring of grief from local leaders. Riverside South-Findlay Creek Councillor Steve Desroches wrote on social media: 'I am shocked & deeply saddened to learn of the tragic deaths in Findlay Creek today, including 2 young children.' 'This is a heartbreaking tragedy & my thoughts are with the family & friends at this difficult time.' Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also expressed his condolences, calling it 'a very difficult day for our community.' 'I'm shocked and heartbroken to learn of the tragic deaths of two children in the south end of our city. There are no words to describe this immeasurable loss, my thoughts are with everyone grieving today, especially the family and their close friends. I encourage everyone who needs help to reach out for support,' he said. Police said the father had only limited prior contact with law enforcement. His death is being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police. Investigators are also working closely with the Ottawa Police Service to determine whether a fire at a commercial property may also be connected.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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