Essex County OPP station in Harrow. (File photo by Ricardo Veneza)Essex County OPP station in Harrow. (File photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Windsor

OPP confirms identity of family found dead in Harrow

Almost a week after the Ontario Provincial Police made a grisly discovery at a property in Harrow, investigators have confirmed the identities for four people found dead.

The investigation into the deaths continues, and police still haven't confirmed speculation in the community.

The OPP will say the deceased were members of the same family.

They identified the deceased as 41-year-old Carly Walsh, 42-year-old Steven Walsh, 13-year-old Madison Walsh, and eight-year-old Hunter Walsh.

Police went to the property on County Road 13 on June 20 after receiving a request to check on the wellbeing of a person at the home.

"While the cause of death cannot yet be confirmed, investigators believe there is no imminent threat to public safety," read a release from the OPP on Wednesday.

The Walsh children attended St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School. The Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board issued a statement after the OPP identified the family.

"The St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School community is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of two of its students and their parents due to tragic circumstances that occurred in Harrow on June 20.

Madison Walsh was a grade 7 student at St. Anthony. She will be remembered by her teachers and her 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.

Hunter Walsh was a Grade 3 student who will be remembered by his teachers and friends as a 'sweet kid' who loved to play soccer, was always smiling and giving hugs to others.

Carly Walsh, mother of Madison and Hunter, was Vice Chair of the school's Catholic School Advisory Council and will be remembered by the school community for always being present for school functions and council meetings. She cared deeply about St. Anthony's, and was an important member of the school community.

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."

The board's mental health and faith teams have been at the school since word of the deaths became known.

The Essex County OPP Crime Unit is investigating under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from OPP Identification Services, working with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

* The OPP incorrectly identified one of the victims as John Walsh. WindsorNewsToday.ca reported the incorrect name in an earlier version of this story.

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