Police were called to Walsh family home in Harrow to check on someone’s well-being: OPP
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Police say they were called to a Harrow, Ont., home where a family of four was found dead after they were asked to check on “the well-being of a person at the home.”
Ontario Provincial Police’s west region released new details Wednesday morning around the deaths of the Walsh family, who were found at their rural Harrow home at 1200 County Rd. 13 on June 20.
Members of the Essex County detachment showed up “after receiving a request to check on the well-being of a person at the home, which led to the discovery of the deceased individuals,” police said in the release.
Police also officially revealed the family to be Carly Walsh, 41, Steven Walsh, 32, and their children Madison, 13, and Hunter, 8.
Community members participated in a vigil in Harrow on Sunday night after four family members were found dead in their home on Thursday.
“The circumstances that led to the individuals’ deaths remain under investigation,” police said.
“While the cause of death cannot yet be confirmed, investigators believe there is no imminent threat to public safety.”
Police say Essex OPP’s crime unit is investigating under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with help from OPP Forensic Identification Services, and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
There’s been outpouring from the community around the deaths of the Walsh family.
The school community is remembering the Walsh children, the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board said Wednesday. Madison and Hunter attended St. Anthony’s Catholic Elementary School in Harrow.
In a statement, the board said Carly Walsh was vice-chair of the school’s advisory council who “cared deeply about St. Anthony, and was an important member of the school community.”
Madison Walsh was in Grade 7 and will be remembered by teachers and friends as “a kind, caring girl who always had a smile on her face, was a good friend who included others, and always tried to do the right thing.” Her brother Hunter was a Grade 3 student and a “sweet kid” who loved soccer and giving hugs.
“The school community is struggling with the loss of the Walsh family, but staff, students and their families are relying on their faith and each other to get them through this extremely difficult time,” a board spokesperson said.
“Members of the WECDSB’s mental health and faith teams have been present at the school throughout this situation and many staff members and students have been relying on their support services.”
On Sunday, hundreds of Harrow-area residents attended a vigil at the Harrow soccer field, where the family was involved in youth soccer. Friends also said Carly Walsh loved to walk around the 1.2-kilometre track.
The Walshes were also involved in figure skating and their school community. Carly Walsh was also involved in Tupperware sales and worked at Paglione Estate Winery.
“We loved her and her family very much,” the winery said on social media. “They were an extension of ours. We are heartbroken and reeling with grief.”
The community is fundraising to pay for the funerals, as well as to find homes for the family’s two dogs.
