Derry 6-year-old killed by father in murder/suicide, police say

DERRY, N.H. — A 39-year-old man killed his son and took his own life at a home in Derry, investigators announced Tuesday afternoon.

The New Hampshire Attorney General began the investigation after calling the deaths of Matthew Edmunds and 6-year-old Preston Connor Edmunds untimely.

Police in Derry were called to 30 Kendal Pond Rd. just after noon Monday to check on the welfare of the pair.

Officers had to force their way into the mobile home where they discovered the bodies in a locked bedroom.

According to police, the room had been sealed from the inside using duct tape and a blanket. Police say they found two charcoal grills in the room containing burned charcoal and ash.

“Father didn’t take him out much. He didn’t do a lot. If he did, it wasn’t like the normal kid that would go sliding,” Preston’s uncle Neil Desjardins said.

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A sign hanging from the ceiling fan "warned police officers that they 'will find me and my son' in the bedroom and to be aware of 'dangerous carbon monoxide levels.'"

The Attorney General’s Office said autopsies determined both died from carbon monoxide poisoning and the manner of death was murder/suicide.

Derry officials said Tuesday that Preston lived with his father per a custody arrangement, but Preston was not enrolled in school.

Matthew had also deleted his Facebook account shortly before the murder/suicide.

In 2009, the family's 6-year-old son Connor Matthew Edmunds died in a pool accident. Family friends say Preston's middle name is in honor of his older brother.

Investigators say they are looking into whether the deaths are connected.

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