Sheriff Identifies Ukiah Father Involved in Death of Two Children
A preliminary finding ruled GonzalezGonzalez's death a suicide, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office on Thursday identified the father investigators say killed his two children last week before taking his own life. He was Alexander GonzalezGonzalez, 44, of Ukiah.
Autopsies on all three were performed Wednesday, Oct. 14. A preliminary finding ruled GonzalezGonzalez's death a suicide, according to an updated release from Capt. Quincy Cromer, the Sheriff's Office spokesperson.
The Sheriff's Office is not releasing the preliminary cause or manner of death for the children, a 14-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, citing the ongoing investigation. Their names are being withheld because of their ages. Final findings for all three will not be released until the forensic pathologist completes the autopsy and coroner's reports.
In accordance with Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide MendoLocal.News is not describing how GonzalezGonzalez died.
How the morning unfolded
At about 10:19 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, the Sheriff's Office received a 911 call transferred from the California Highway Patrol about an emergency at a home in the 6800 block of Old River Road. The caller had found two children there who needed medical help.
People at the property put the children in their vehicle and drove north on Old River Road to meet an ambulance. Sheriff Matt Kendall later described them as good Samaritans, Redheaded Blackbelt reported.
They met medics in front of the Mendocino County Office of Education, just south of Talmage Road. Both children were unresponsive and had no pulse. Crews performed CPR and other advanced life-saving measures, but both children were declared dead. Emergency radio traffic placed that at about 11:08 a.m., according to Redheaded Blackbelt.
Meanwhile, deputies went to the home and found the children's father dead on the property.
Kendall told Redheaded Blackbelt said the education office was not involved in the incident. It was simply where the vehicle met the ambulance.
Radio traffic reported by Redheaded Blackbelt suggests a welfare check was requested at an Old River Road home at about 9:53 a.m., before the 911 call. The Sheriff's Office has not confirmed that detail.
The investigation
Sheriff's detectives took over the case and obtained a search warrant for the home. They interviewed family members and witnesses and processed the scene for evidence.
According to the Sheriff's Office, evidence and interviews indicate GonzalezGonzalez was at the home with two of his children that morning. Investigators believe he killed them and then himself. No motive has been released.
The Sheriff's Office said it has contacted everyone believed to be involved. There are no outstanding suspects and no continuing threat to the public.
Early scanner traffic that day mentioned a person with a firearm. Kendall told Redheaded Blackbelt that nothing indicated a firearm was involved. He said radio traffic from separate calls, and plainclothes deputies working nearby, may have caused the confusion.
Sheriff's chaplains responded to support family members and first responders. Kendall said chaplains are called to every event of this kind.
"It's going to be heavy for a while," Cromer told Redheaded Blackbelt.
How to help the investigation
Anyone with information is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office at 707-463-4086, option 1. Anonymous tips can be left on the non-emergency tip line at 707-234-2100.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
We follow nationally recognized guidelines for reporting on suicide. Research shows that detailed or sensational coverage can raise the risk for people who are struggling, while coverage that points toward help can protect them. So we don't describe methods, we avoid dramatic headlines and images, and we include crisis resources with these stories.