Police were called to Walsh family's Harrow home to check on a person's well-being before deaths: OPP

Police say they were called to a Harrow, Ont., home where a family of four was found dead after they were asked to check on "the well-being of a person at the home."

Ontario Provincial Police's west region released new details Wednesday morning about the deaths of four Walsh family members, who were found at their rural home at 1200 County Rd. 13 on June 20.

Members of the Essex County detachment showed up "after receiving a request to check on the well-being of a person at the home, which led to the discovery of the deceased individuals," police said in the release. 

Police also officially revealed the family to be Carly Walsh, 41, Steven Walsh, 42, and their children Madison, 13, and Hunter, 8. Previously, they were identified by community members.

'There aren't any real words:' community grieves loss of Essex family members

5 months ago

Duration 2:39

Community members participated in a vigil in Harrow on Sunday night after four family members were found dead in their home on Thursday.

"The circumstances that led to the individuals' deaths remain under investigation," police said. 

"While the cause of death cannot yet be confirmed, investigators believe there is no imminent threat to public safety."

Police say Essex OPP's crime unit is investigating under the direction of the force's Criminal Investigation Branch, with help from its Forensic Identification Services and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Greg Brown, a research professor with Carleton University's sociology department and a retired Ottawa police officer with 30 years of experience, is not familiar with the Walsh case.

He says, speaking generally, the vast majority of police checks on well-being involve mental health matters.

"Typically, the way it manifests is somebody becomes concerned for a loved one or a neighbour... They're concerned that somebody could get hurt. They call 911, and it's the police that are dispatched to go and address that — not medical workers or ambulance people or fire personnel," Brown explained.

OPP have offered no further clarification on how the Walsh family died, nor what prompted the check on well-being.

Police have repeatedly stated there is no imminent threat to the public.

There has been outpouring from the community since the deaths were confirmed.

The school community is remembering the Walsh children, the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board said Wednesday. Madison and Hunter attended St. Anthony's Catholic Elementary School in Harrow, a town of about 2,500. 

In a statement, the board said Carly Walsh was vice-chair of the school's advisory council, "cared deeply about St. Anthony, and was an important member of the school community."

Madison was in Grade 7 and will be remembered by teachers and 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." Her brother Hunter was a Grade 3 student and a "sweet kid" who loved soccer and giving hugs.

"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," a board spokesperson said. 

"Members of the WECDSB's mental health and faith teams have been present at the school throughout this situation and many staff members and students have been relying on their support services."

On Sunday, hundreds of Harrow-area residents attended a vigil at the Harrow soccer field, where the family was involved in youth soccer. Friends also said Carly Walsh loved to walk around the 1.2-kilometre track.

The Walshes were also involved in figure skating and their school community. Carly was also involved in Tupperware sales and worked at Paglione Estate Winery.

"We loved her and her family very much," the winery said on social media. "They were an extension of ours. We are heartbroken and reeling with grief."

The community is fundraising to pay for the funerals, as well as to help the family's two dogs.