Preliminary Cause Of Death Revealed For 14-Year-Old In Broken Arrow Murder-Suicide

1: 30 p.m. update 02/14/2024:

The 14-year-old female involved in a Broken Arrow murder-suicide investigation died by strangulation, according to preliminary autopsy findings from the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office.

Broken Arrow Police said the official cause and manner of death are still pending for both teenagers involved.

This is a breaking news update. Original story below:

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Two teenagers are dead in what appears to be a murder-suicide, Broken Arrow Police said.

According to BAPD, a 17-year-old male and his 14-year-old sister were found dead inside their home near West Florence Street and South Aspen Avenue on Sunday.

Related Story: 2 Teens Found Dead In Broken Arrow

Police said the family came home to find the teenage boy dead and while officers were on the way, the family found the teenage girl dead. Investigators believe the boy killed the girl before killing himself but said they haven’t found any weapons and are working to figure out what happened.

The names of the victims have not been released at this time but police have confirmed that they were students at Broken Arrow Public Schools.

There haven’t been any other issues at this family's home before, police said.

Neighbors said they would see the siblings outside playing basketball and riding the school bus. They said they were shocked to hear about what happened.

“It’s something that none of us can really fathom or understand. It’s going to be difficult for everybody who is involved and who cares, and all their friends and family. It’s hard to process," said Deacon Robert Owens, a neighbor.

Police said it's hard for everyone when something like this happens to children.

“This is one of the hardest calls that officers have to go on. Every time we talk about deceased kids, this is something that impacts us deeply,” said Capt. Josh McCoy with Broken Arrow Police.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of the teenagers' deaths. BAPD is working with the Broken Arrow school district to ensure necessary resources are available.

"We're trying to come together as a community, as a police department, and support this family as they go forward and try to pick up the pieces of their life,” said McCoy.

The district said more counselors would be at school in case the victims were Broken Arrow students.

"And there may be even be some blame, like, 'How did I not see something that was going on?'" said Faith Crittenden with Family and Children’s Services.

Crittenden, who provides counseling staff for Broken Arrow Schools, says while police investigate, adults should talk to kids on the level that's appropriate for them to understand.

"It's really just being available to listen and to understand their feelings and validate that it's confusing or scary or they're sad or how they're impacted," said Crittenden.

Both police and mental health experts say this case is another example of the mental health crisis around the state.