A FAMILY OF FOUR was tragically discovered dead in their vacation home on Christmas Day, as seen for the first time in touching photographs.
The bodies of Matthew and Layla Goldstein and their two daughters, Valerie and Violet, were discovered in Wakefield, New Hampshire, following an apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.
The US Sun can exclusively reveal photos of eighth-grade teacher Matthew, 52, his wife Lyla, 54, and their two children, Valerie, 22, and Violet, 19.
Matthew’s cause of death was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning, while the causes and deaths of the other three remain unknown.
After the four did not show up for a Christmas dinner as planned, family members called police to check on them.
They were discovered dead inside a house shortly after 4.20 p.m., authorities confirmed.
According to investigators, there were no carbon monoxide detectors inside the house.
Matthew, a teacher at Brookline Public Schools outside Boston near the family’s Newton home, has received tributes.
“We are deeply heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mr. Matt Goldstein, an exceptional educator and a beloved member of our PSB and Baker School Community,” Brookline Public Schools Superintendent Linus Guillory said in a statement on Thursday.
“Mr. Goldstein’s dedication to inspiring students and shaping young minds has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Goldstein taught eighth-grade math and health while also leading the school’s math league and LGBTQ+ student support group.
He was also a member of the Newton Theater Company and appeared in a number of community productions, according to the organization’s founder.
Lyla Goldstein had worked at Microsoft for the previous 15 years, according to family sources.
Valerie was a recent college graduate who had just started working as a teacher, and Violet was a first-year student at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence.
Following the deaths, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey spoke out and issued a warning to the community.
“This is a terribly tragic event. It comes at a time when our state has experienced a high number of carbon monoxide deaths and fire fatalities.
Common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Faulty boilers, cookers and heaters
- Faulty air conditioning units
- Blocked car exhausts
- Blocked chimneys
- Burning fuel in an enclosed space (e.g. running a car or using a BBQ inside a garage)
- Paint fumes
- Smoking shisha pipes indoors
“I sincerely hope to make it through the holidays without another death.
“And unfortunately, I am standing before you today with four more deaths that appear to be carbon monoxide-related.”
Carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas, kills over 400 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Toomey also stated that the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to the flu, making them more difficult to identify during this time of year.
Neighbors have spoken out about their shock at the news.
“It is just, my deepest sympathy,” one neighbor told WMUR, a local ABC affiliate.
“You understand, it is a terrible tragedy. How come you can not feel anything?
“It is so sad, especially around the holidays.”
