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Investigators have determined the cause of death for a family of four found dead last month inside a Harrow home, a case described by the Ontario Provincial Police as intimate partner violence, that has deeply shaken the small community.
A post-mortem examination launched after June 20 — the date Essex County OPP were dispatched to the residence and found the bodies of four family members inside — concluded that Carly Stannard-Walsh, 41, and her children, 13-year-old Madison and 8-year-old Hunter, died from gunshot wounds.
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A statement released by the OPP on Saturday said the investigation also determined that Steven Walsh, 42, the children’s father and Carly’s husband, who was also found dead inside the home, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
While the investigation remains ongoing, the OPP say the “initial investigation” found the death of the family to be a case of intimate partner violence (IPV).
“IPV is a serious and prevalent problem,” the OPP said in Saturday’s press release.
“IPV involves the use of physical, psychological or sexual force, actual or threatened, in an intimate relationship. However, these actions are not always physical and can involve emotional and psychological abuse, economic control or coercive control.”
Provincial police say there is currently no threat to public safety.
“The OPP encourages anyone who is experiencing IPV to contact police or your local Ontario Victim Services branch to develop a safety plan,” stated Saturday’s press release.
Essex County OPP launched an investigation after officers discovered the bodies of four family members on June 20, when responding to a call to check on the well-being of a person at a home in the 1200 block of County Road 13 (Erie Road) in Harrow.
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An audio recording recently obtained by CBC Windsor revealed excerpts of an officer’s initial conversation with police dispatch that day, describing the death of one man as a “possible suicide.”
“We got what appears to be a male party. Possible suicide with a shotgun, .45 for sure, 100 per cent,” the officer said in the recording, which was reportedly captured at 1:25 p.m. that day.
“Just need to clear this residence, look for the female party.”
Six minutes later, the officer said, “We’ve got four deceased parties.”
The investigation continues under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from OPP Forensic Identification Services, and alongside the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
A funeral service for Carly, Madison and Hunter was held on July 2 at Families First Funeral Home on Dougall Avenue in Windsor, drawing hundreds.
Steven was not included in the family’s funeral arrangements.
A candlelight vigil was held on June 23 at the Harrow Soccer Complex, where members of a grieving community offered flowers, gifts and prayers to honour the family.
The recent deaths have also led to a number of fundraisers throughout the small town of Harrow and an outpouring of online tributes.
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Any person with information regarding this investigation should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
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