Authorities in Prince William County, Virginia, have identified three family members who were killed in what investigators are now describing as a suspected murder-suicide inside a Woodbridge home.
Police say 69-year-old Kegang Xie, her 40-year-old son Danxiong Gao, and Gao’s 2-year-old child were found dead at the residence over the weekend. The child’s name has not been released due to age.
Investigators allege that Gao’s 35-year-old wife, Ziyi Lu, fatally stabbed the three victims before taking her own life. Lu and Gao shared the 2-year-old child, according to police.
Discovery at the Scene
The investigation began around 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, when officers with the Prince William County Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing. Police told reporters that the call was made by Lu’s father-in-law.
When officers arrived, they discovered four deceased individuals inside the home — two adult women, one adult man and a child. Authorities later confirmed that all four died from knife-related injuries and said a suspected murder weapon was recovered from the residence.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have not yet released details about a possible motive or the events leading up to the killings. Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham described the scene as devastating, saying it was comparable to “the worst possible nightmare you’ve ever had.”
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
