A couple and their toddler were found dead in an apartment in Orange, each with a gunshot wound to the head, in what was being investigated today as a murder-suicide.
The dead were later identified as Craig Rubin, 44, his girlfriend, Mary Striley, 42, and their 3-year-old son, Jake Rubin, said Orange police Sgt. Dan Adams.
The manager of the apartment complex at 1918 E. Vanowen Ave. asked Orange police to conduct a welfare check about 4 p.m. Tuesday because he had not seen or heard from his tenants for several days, Adams said.
Rubin was last seen on Saturday, Adams said. There were no reports of shots fired or loud voices between the last time Rubin was seen and the bodies were found, Adams said.
When officers entered the apartment, they found the bodies of the couple and their son, each with a single gunshot wound to the head, Adams said.
A note was found in which Rubin claimed responsibility for the shootings, Adams said.
A motive was not immediately known, he said.
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"Our investigators will try to seek closure, find out exactly what the motive was," Adams said, adding that there were indications that the "family was dealing with health and financial issues. The female and child had unspecified health issues."
The three were declared dead at the scene, the sergeant said.
A van parked outside has Rubin Electric on the side, Adams said.
A small-caliber handgun was found next to Rubin's body. Adams did not know if it was registered to Rubin.
Police said the couple had been boyfriend and girlfriend for five years. Adams said they had lived at the apartment on Vanowen Avenue since September 2006.
