The Latest: Reports: Mom found dead upset when husband left

PHOENIX – The Latest on the discovery of three bodies in a home in a Phoenix suburb (all times local):

10:45 a.m.

Neighbours say a woman found dead in her home with her 17-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter was distraught because her husband had left her.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says the case is being investigated as a murder-suicide.

Neighbour Judy Peaton told KNXV-TV (http://goo.gl/Ta8z75 ) that Lisa Gerhart was crying on Saturday because her husband had left her.

Neighbour Connie Rivere told the Arizona Republic (http://goo.gl/YBmz75 ) that Gerhart was devastated and horrified that her husband had moved out.

Arpaio says deputies found a handgun near Gerhart’s body.

The children had gunshot wounds but Arpaio said Tuesday it will be up to medical examiners to determine if they died from gunshot wounds or carbon monoxide fumes carried me by a hose from a car to the house.

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12:30 a.m.

Authorities say the deaths of a mother and her two children whose bodies were found inside a home in suburban Phoenix could be a case murder-suicide.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said at a news conference Tuesday that deputies are awaiting autopsy results before making a determination.

He says deputies found a handgun near the woman’s body.

The sheriff identified the woman as Lisa Gerhart, saying she was 45 or 46. Her son was 17, and her daughter was 12. Arpaio did not name the children.

Arpaio said it’ll be up to the county medical examiner’s office to determine if the children died from gunshot wounds or carbon monoxide from the car fumes.

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