----------
By John Waller and Les Masterson
Four people were found dead in a Newland Road home by Arlington Police at about 1 p.m. Monday afternoon.
The four victims include two infants under the age of 1. District Attorney Marian Ryan did not provide more information about the victims until the next of kin is notified.
Police discovered the bodies during a well being check call Monday afternoon.
Find out what's happening in Arlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The couple who own the first-floor condo at 45 Newland Road were reportedly going through a “nasty divorce,” according to a family member who talked to Channel 4.
There were reports that the victims were slashed, but District Attorney Ryan declined to comment on the weapon used.
Find out what's happening in Arlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The DA called the murders “very troubling, very tragic situation.”
Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan called the incident “very troubling” – especially with an elementary school nearby. He added that there are no public risks at the moment.
“There is no risk of public safety at this time. We’re certain the community is safe and people can go out their business this evening,” he said.
Investigators spent Monday afternoon going in and out of the Newland Road home with white cloth booties over their shoes so they wouldn’t disturb the crime scene.
The home is a gray two-family with red and white trim in the Peirce School neighborhood. Newland Road is a quiet, hilly road that is a mix of one- and two-family homes. Neighbors described the street as one in which people help one another.
Neighbor Joe Hersey told reporters, "It's shocking. It's a very quiet neighborhood."
Neighbor Amy Iannelli said she walks her dogs past the house every day and hasn’t seen any police activity there before today.
“To think that kids were in the house is heartbreaking,” she said.
---
Here is the timeline of Patch's reporting Monday afternoon:
UPDATED at 4:20 p.m.: Speaking to the media during a press conference, District Attorney Marian Ryan called the murders a “very troubling, very tragic situation.”
She said it’s very early in the investigation and declined to say what type of weapon was used in the murders.
She said the two young victims in the murders are under 1, but declined to provide any other information about the victims in the case.
The DA added that they are still trying to reach next of kin before releasing more information.
Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan called the incident “very troubling” – especially with an elementary school nearby. He added that there are no public risks at the moment.
“There is no risk of public safety at this time. We’re certain the community is safe and people can go out their business this evening,” he said.
UPDATED at 4:04 p.m.: Channel 7 is reporting guns were "not involved" in the murders and that "apparently the victims had been slashed."The four people who are reportedly dead are the husband, wife and two infant boys.
UPDATED at 4:01 p.m.: Channel 4 is reporting that they spoke to a family member who said the couple who lived at the residence had been going through a "nasty divorce."
UPDATED at 3:34 p.m.: The media is waiting for the press conference. The hold up appears to be that authorities are trying to track down the next of kin.
UPDATED at 2:49 p.m.: District Attorney Marian Ryan, Arlington Police and State Police have been going in and out of the residence. Investigators entering the first-floor residence have been wearing white cloth booties over their shoes.
UPDATED at 2:38 p.m.: Officials said they are notifying the next of kin and then will hold press conference at the scene with the district attorney.
UPDATED at 2:24 p.m.: District Attorney Marian Ryan has arrived at the scene.
UPDATED at 2:12 p.m.: Neighbor Amy Iannelli said she walks her dogs past the house every day and hasn’t seen any police activity there before today.
She said it’s a wonderful neighborhood and people help each other.
“To think that kids were in the house is heartbreaking,” she said.
UPDATED at 2:05 p.m.: Police reportedly visited home and discovered bodies during well being check on Monday afternoon.UPDATED at 2 p.m.: District Attorney Marian Ryan is headed to the scene. A media briefing is expected at 2:15 p.m.
UPDATED at 1:57 p.m.: A Robocall was placed to Arlington residents to inform them of the incident.
UPDATED at 1:51 p.m.: Police Capt. Richard Flynn confirmed two victims are children, but declined to say whether they're infants.
UPDATED at 1:48 p.m.: Neighbor Joe Hersey told reporters, "It's shocking. It's a very quiet neighborhood."
"It's very sad," said Lisa Hersey.
Newland Road is not far from Peirce Elementary School.
UPDATED at 1:42 p.m.: Newland Road is closed from Blossom Street to Bow Street.
The medial examiner has not arrived yet, but State Police are at the scene.
Arlington Police arrived at the scene at about 1 p.m.
UPDATED at 1:30 pm.: Arlington Police Capt. Richard Flynn said a staging area is being set up on Newland Road. Mass State Police have been contacted to assist with the investigation.
Original article posted to 1:23 p.m.:
Two adults and two infants were found dead in an apartment at 45 Newland Road by an au pair Monday, Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan has told WCVB.
Ryan said the deaths are being investigated as homicides.
Check back with Arlington Patch for updates as soon as they become available.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.