MILPITAS — The four people found dead in a Milpitas apartment Tuesday were a family killed in an apparent murder-suicide, according to authorities.
Milpitas police officers arrived around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday to the apartment at 1355 McCandless Drive to conduct a welfare check because the family had not been “seen or heard” since the afternoon of Dec. 14, according to authorities. Officers forced entry into the home to find a gruesome scene.
All four of the family members were found “deceased in bed and all with apparent gunshot wounds to the head,” according to police notes posted online through the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office website.
The father and mother of the family were both VTA employees who were going through a divorce, according to authorities. A VTA spokesperson confirmed Thursday afternoon that the couple worked for the transit agency.
Authorities on Thursday identified the father as Vinh Nguyen and the mother as Betty Pham, both 36. The other two people were identified only as a 9-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl.
Officers allegedly found Nguyen with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun at his right thigh. Police allege Nguyen shot Pham and their two childrenbefore turning the weapon on himself to take his own life. The firearm was legally registered to Nguyen, according to authorities.
Officers found “several spent casings and expended rounds” at the apartment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.
Staff writer Jason Green contributed to this report.