An exact cause of death is still under investigation, pending the outcome of a forensic autopsies on all four family members. Police say the deaths were a homicide-suicide, although the manner of death remains undermined.
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Michigan State Police troopers discovered the family dead inside the home after a welfare check of a person that had been absent from work for a couple days.
It looks at this point as though the wife killed the others and then herself, said Grand Traverse County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg told the Record-Eagle.
This August 14, 2015 photo shows the mobile home where a couple and their two young children were found dead in Grand Traverse County’s Garfield Township, Michigan, according to authorities.
The deceased have been identified as 54-year-old Jeffrey Mendenhall, 34-year-old Tamisha Mendenhall, and their children: 6-year-old Thomas and 3-year-old Olivia Mendenhall. Belcher said it’s unclear which parent or both was responsible.
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The deaths shocked residents of the neighborhood simply south of Traverse City, the place cellular houses adorned with flower bins are clustered beneath towering shade timber. Neighbors described the family as friendly and having always said “hi” when passing by.
