Two boys, 7 & 12, found dead inside father's home after welfare check
Two young brothers were found dead inside their father's home in Canada after a concerned visitor asked police to carry out a welfare check.
The boys' father was also found dead in a car that was engulfed in flames in a highway parking lot outside Ottawa.
Investigators are now probing what authorities believe was a devastating murder-suicide that has rocked their community.
The boys, aged seven and 12, were discovered dead inside a townhouse on Monday morning after officers were called to the property at around 10am.
Police believe the children's father was also involved.
His body was later found at a carpool lot along Highway 416, roughly 21 miles south of the family home, in what investigators say they believe was a suicide.
Authorities are now piecing together the events that led to the deaths, while also investigating whether a separate commercial fire more than 60 miles away is connected to the case.
Police emphasized there is no indication of any continuing danger to the public.
Two brothers, aged 7 and 12, were found dead inside their father's Ottawa home after police carried out a welfare check. Investigators are treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide
'Investigators continue to assess the connections between these incidents and do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public,' Ottawa police said.
'This investigation is ongoing and complex,' the Ottawa Police Service said after confirming the deaths of the two boys.
Superintendent Jamie Dunlop told reporters the children's parents were divorced and the brothers had been staying at their father's home.
The welfare check was not requested by the boys' mother, but by another individual who became concerned after visiting the property.
'It was an individual who had a reason to go by the home to check on the condition of the house, was concerned when nobody answered the door and contacted police to come and do a wellness check,' Dunlop said during a news conference on Monday.
It was when officers entered the home, they made the grim discovery.
Investigators are now interviewing the boys' mother, relatives and friends as they work to establish exactly what happened.
Dunlop said there are other children connected to the family, but stressed police are confident 'they're all in good care at the moment.'
He described the deaths as an unimaginable tragedy for everyone affected.
Ottawa Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police are working closely together as they investigate the incidents
'Obviously it's a very tragic incident for the families, the friends, the neighbors. Certainly when children are involved, it's extra difficult to understand,' Dunlop said.
Forensic teams continued examining the home on Monday afternoon. Several townhouses on Mandevilla Crescent remained sealed off behind police tape while officers searched for evidence.
The deaths also prompted an outpouring of grief from local leaders.
Riverside South-Findlay Creek Councillor Steve Desroches wrote on social media: 'I am shocked & deeply saddened to learn of the tragic deaths in Findlay Creek today, including 2 young children.'
'This is a heartbreaking tragedy & my thoughts are with the family & friends at this difficult time.'
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also expressed his condolences, calling it 'a very difficult day for our community.'
'I'm shocked and heartbroken to learn of the tragic deaths of two children in the south end of our city. There are no words to describe this immeasurable loss, my thoughts are with everyone grieving today, especially the family and their close friends. I encourage everyone who needs help to reach out for support,' he said.
Police said the father had only limited prior contact with law enforcement. His death is being investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police.
Investigators are also working closely with the Ottawa Police Service to determine whether a fire at a commercial property may also be connected.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
