Utah parents were found to have drugged their three children before killing themselves in fear of the impending apocalypse, reveal authorities.
In late September 2014, police recovered the bodies of Benjamin and Kristi Strack along with their three children, who were 11, 12 and 14 years old, from their Springville, Utah home. The children's grandmother and Kristi's older son from her previous marriage were the first to find the five dead bodies.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Springville Police Chief J. Scott Finlayson confirmed that the investigation in the case has concluded that all five family members died of drug toxicity. Finlayson also reported that the drugs used were either heroin, methadone or a combination of drugs.
The investigation confirmed that Kristi and Benjamin Strack committed suicide and the deaths of the younger two children were determined as homicides even though there were no signs of any struggle. The manner of death of Benson Strack, the eldest son of the couple, was undetermined. Benson was aware that he was about to die as police found a goodbye letter for his best friend.
Authorities did not find any written note from the parents but found a notebook that contained handwritten list of daily chores.
Police found the bodies of the parents and Benson on the bed and the bodies of the younger children on a mattress lying next to their bed. Investigators said that all bodies, apart from Benjamin's, were tucked under the cover, which indicates that he was the last to die.
Authorities also discovered cups of red liquid beside the dead bodies along with several boxes of cold and flu medicine in the house. Investigators learned that the methadone found in the house was prescribed to Kristi.
Police interviewed people who were familiar with the Stracks. Findings showed that the parents were concerned about a coming end of times and wanted to escape it.
"There seemed to be a concern about a pending apocalypse that the parents bought into," said Finlayson. "While some friends thought that suicide may have been, or could have been, included in their plans, others believed they were going to move somewhere and live off the grid."
Benjamin's brother Jacob also revealed that the final report did not come as a surprise to the relatives.
Court records also pointed out that both Kristi and Benjamin had records of financial and legal problems.
