Homicide detectives were investigating the deaths of three women, believed to be related, found Monday morning in Hawaiian Gardens. Three deputies who responded to the scene were hospitalized for exposure to a noxious gas.
Whether the deaths were due to homicide, or another cause, remained undetermined Monday night.
A concerned relative went to the house in the 11000 block of E. 223rd Street, and called authorities to report a woman inside was down and nonresponsive, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Responding deputies and paramedics discovered the woman's body in a bedroom. Investigating further, three deputies went to the detached garage in back of the house.
"When they opened the door, they were overcome by a powerful odor," said Sheriff's Homicide Lt. Steve Jauch. The engine of a car parked in the garage was running.
Lying on the floor inside were the bodies of the other two women, Lt. Jauch said.
Fire officials said the deaths may have been caused by carbon monoxide, a component of exhaust gas that can be lethal as its concentration increases in an enclosed space. Exposue to the fumes sickened the deputies, and they were transported to a hospital, Jauch said.. Later, one of the deputies was released, and the other two were expected to recover, but were held for observation.
Neighbors said they could smell the gaseous, noxious odor that hung in the air for a time after authorities made the grim discovery.
"I tasted something. I don't know what it is, but there's a smell there," said neighbor Alza Blajos.
Hazmat teams called to the scene determined that there was no lingering danger in the air, and investigators were cleared to re-enter the garage.
Authorities were still attempting to notify family members of the deceased. Lt. Jauch said it's believe the three are related. He described the woman found in the house as "elderly," and identified the two found in the garagae as "adult women."
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What led to the horrific outcome is far from clear to investigators, and Jauch said homicide was not ruled out. He said there evidence inside the house may prove helpful in determining what happened, but declined to say if that evidence includes messages left by any of the deceased.
One neighbor said she heard gunshots in the neighborhood during the early morning hours, but there was no apparent connection to the deaths of the three women.
Official determination of cause of death awaits coroner's autopsies.
Nyree Arabian contributed to this report.
