Four Found Dead in Home on Christmas, Officials Believe They Know What Killed Them
A family of four tragically lost their lives on Wednesday while staying at a vacation home in Wakefield, New Hampshire, due to apparent carbon monoxide exposure.
Matthew Goldstein, 52, and his wife, Lyla Goldstein, 54, of Newton, Massachusetts, along with their daughters, Valerie, 22, and Violet, 19, were identified as the victims of the Christmas tragedy, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office, as reported by WCVB-TV.
State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey stated that other family members contacted emergency services when the Goldsteins failed to attend a scheduled Christmas gathering.
“It’s a terribly tragic event. It comes in a year we’ve had a tough year in general for carbon monoxide deaths and fire fatalities in our state,” Toomey remarked, per WCVB-TV.
He continued, “I really hope to make it through the holidays without another death. And unfortunately, I’m standing before you today with four more deaths that appear to be carbon monoxide-related.”
Matthew Goldstein worked as a teacher at Brookline Public Schools, while Lyla Goldstein had been employed by Microsoft for the past 15 years.
“We are deeply heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mr. Matt Goldstein, an exceptional educator and a beloved member of our PSB and Baker School Community,” stated Linus Guillory, Superintendent of Brookline Public Schools, in a statement released Thursday.
“Mr. Goldstein’s dedication to inspiring students and shaping young minds has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him,” Guillory added.
Valerie Goldstein recently graduated from Syracuse University, while her sister, Violet, was a student at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
In response to Violet’s death, RISD offered counseling services to its community. “This is an unimaginable loss for Violet’s loved ones, friends, faculty, peers, and all of us in the RISD community, and we are currently reaching out to Violet’s closest friends,” a statement from the school read.
“As we process and mourn this tragedy, please take comfort in your loved ones and keep Violet and her family in your thoughts.”
Authorities discovered three family members in their bedrooms and one in the bathroom, according to Toomey, as reported by WMUR-TV. The deaths are believed to have occurred overnight.
“What we believe is there was some sort of malfunction of the gas heating system,” Toomey explained, which caused “carbon monoxide gas to not exit through the normal venting system like it should and exit to the outside.”
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that Americans install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms in their homes to detect the toxic gas, which is colorless, odorless, and potentially fatal.
Additionally, the administration advises using portable generators only in well-ventilated areas, far from doors, windows, and vents. Carbon monoxide alarms should be placed “in a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of your home.”