A brutal crime scene has left the Irondequoit community in upstate New York in complete shock at what police are calling "the worst thing we've ever seen."
Irondequoit Police and firefighters were called to the scene to reports of smoke and a possible blaze.
But the tragedy deepened as authorities discovered four bodies, each apparently murdered, with no sign that the fire had played a role in their deaths.
The family-parents, 30-year-old Fraime Ubaldo and 26-year-old Marangely Moreno-Santiago, and their two children, 4-year-old Evangeline Ubaldo-Moreno and 2-year-old Sebastian Ubalde-Moreno-were found early morning on Saturday, August 31.
Several fires were set throughout the home, and investigators believe it was done so in an apparent attempt to cover up the killings.
Irondequoit Police Chief Scott Peters, who has worked in law enforcement for 32 years, described the scene as "the worst thing I've ever seen" while vowing to "bring these monsters to justice," reported The Daily Mail.
While the cause of death has not been determined yet, the department revealed it was 'readily apparent this was going to be a homicide investigation' due to the "condition of the bodies."
Irondequoit Town Supervisor Andrae Evans said in a statement that the town is "profoundly heartbroken by the recent horrific tragedy that has shaken our community," adding:
"We are appalled and sickened by these evil actions. This act of violence is completely contrary to the values of our safe, caring, and inclusive community."
Evans is permitting the police department to "utilize every legal measure available to bring those responsible for this heinous crime to justice as swiftly as possible."
A close friend of Marangely Moreno-Santiago and godmother to her two children, Xiomara Weeks, told Democrat & Chronicle, "I lost my best friend... She's like my family right here."
"The kids didn't deserve it. They had a whole life in front of them," said Weeks.
A GoFundMe has since been launched to help raise funds for the family's funeral service.
