Family of 6 found dead in Texas garage after police feared house was rigged to explode

Four children and two adults were found dead in the garage of a San Antonio, Texas home Thursday after authorities evacuated residents in the area, fearing the home was rigged with explosives.

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said authorities believe the incident was a murder-suicide, but an investigation is ongoing. The evacuation was prompted in part by a note found at the home that cryptically mentioned bodies and warned against entering.

The family — including children between the ages of 11 months and 4 years old and two cats — were found in a SUV, McManus said. Authorities believed they died of carbon monoxide poisoning. No explosives were found.

“It’s the whole picture. The adults, the children, the pets,” McManus said. “Saying it’s not pretty — there’s no words to describe that.”

Police responded to the scene after a request for a welfare check, McManus said. The family had military ties, but McManus did not provide further details.

A technical glitch led to a larger evacuation zone than authorities intended, McManus said.

Contributing: The Associated Press