Moorhead Family of Seven Died from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

MOORHEAD (KFGO) – Seven members of a Moorhead family whose bodies were found inside their home last weekend died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The victims were discovered Saturday night in the south Moorhead home when other family members checked on them after not hearing from them. Police Chief Shannon Monroe says the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s office examined blood samples to determine the causes of death.

“The investigation has found two known sources that produce carbon monoxide; the first being the furnace at the residence that is located in a separate room inside the garage area…and a vehicle that was parked in a garage,” said Monroe in a press conference Wednesday.

Monroe says investigators were told that there were mechanical issues with the van in the garage and it could take weeks to determine if the van played a factor in the deaths. Detectives located a carbon monoxide detector in a cabinet that had been taken off a wall. The battery had been removed. The only working sensors in the home were smoke-only detection devices. The victims ranged in age from 5 to 37. The family had moved to Moorhead from Honduras about seven years ago.