Family poisoned themselves because they feared 'pending apocalypse,’ investigators find

Source: KSTU



Credit: KSTU



UTAH (WITI) -- Authorities in Utah say a family poisoned themselves -- concerned with "evil in the world" and a "pending apocalypse." Officials say they wanted to escape the "impending doom." This, according to FOX6's sister station KSTU in Utah.

Benjamin and Kristi Strack were found dead in their home's master bedroom, along with three of their children in September 2014.

They were discovered by the couple’s 18-year-old son, who is now the only surviving member of the immediate family, KSTU reports. Police said they found medications and cups filled with a “red liquid” next to the bodies of five members of a Springville family.

“Kristi and Benjamin were lying in the bed and the three children were lying around the bed, covered in bedding up to their necks,” police wrote in an affidavit. Police wrote in an affidavit they recovered boxes of cold and flu medication, generic Benadryl, and liquid Methadone.

According to documents, “investigators at the scene determined the cause of death to be an accidental or intentional poisoning either by ingestion or environmental causes.”

Authorities have now released autopsy results. Benjamin and Kristi Strack's deaths have been ruled suicides. The deaths of the youngest two children have been ruled homicides. The cause of death for the 14-year-old son hasn't been determined. Police say the autopsies showed drug toxicity caused the deaths of Benjamin and Kristi Strack and their three children (ages 14, 12 and 11).

Police say officials found a letter written by the 14-year-old son, that said he knew he was going to die, and that he wished to give his possessions to a friend, KSTU reports.

Friends and family members told police Benjamin and Kristi Strack were concerned with the “evil in world,” a “pending apocalypse” and wanted to escape the “impending doom.” Friends said they thought thought that might mean the family could be moving somewhere to live “off the grid.”

CLICK HERE for more on this story via KSTU.



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