Four family members are reported to have died by suicide on the West Bank of New Orleans.

On Thursday morning, Jefferson County investigators near Harvey said they found the bodies of a mother, father, and two boys in a murder-suicide (Feb. 9).

At approximately 7:50 a.m., police responded to a 911 emergency call from the 1100 block of Curtis Street, where they found the bodies of an adult male in his 20s, a minor male in his 13s, and adult men and women. of whom apparently died from gunshot wounds.

During a press conference that took place at approximately 10:30 am, Sheriff Joseph Lopinto called the situation “very dire.”

The grown man, who was the father of a 13-year-old and stepfather of a 20-year-old, dialed 911 and said something along the lines of “we can’t live like this anymore,” Lopinto said. . When you arrive here, you will find four dead bodies. ”

“Unfortunately, we came to this conclusion,” Lopinto added.

Although Lopinto mentioned that the parents were found in their bedroom, he refrained from saying where the sons’ bodies were found when the deputies arrived.

The victims were named as Joanna Ragas, 45, Timothy Earl Ragas, 43, Eric Thornblom, 20, and Timothy Bruce Ragas, 13. This information was provided by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Investigators are unable to determine at this time whether it was a single shooter or multiple shooters.

In response, Lopinto said, “We’ll let ballistics determine that.” “We have to look at the weapons that were fired and when they were fired,” the leader said.

According to Lopinto, everything indicated that the parents were involved in a joint conspiracy to commit a terrible act.

“Based on some of the facts I have, I can assume that the parents made the decision to do this together; but I’m going to go to the coroner’s office to make that assessment. “There is some evidence that makes us think so,” Lopinto said. “Of course, we don’t know that yet.

But there is some evidence that makes us think so.” “We are still working out the details of that moment. I don’t want to go too far into speculation because it’s possible that it isn’t, but I think we should explore it a little deeper.

According to Lopinto, there was “availability” of more than one rifle.

Lopinto stated that he did not see any lights on inside the house, which he called “unfortunate”. Evidence found at the scene, including some recordings, led officials to speculate that financial problems may have been a contributing factor to the tragedy.

In Lopinto’s words, “it looked as if money problems and other little things led to a beggarly position, and they took it into their own hands, which is bad.” “I’m not sure if there is electricity in this house at this time.

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