The bodies of a mother and her two children found shot to death inside a home in suburban Phoenix, authorities said.

According to the officials, the incident is being investigated, it could be a case of murder-suicide. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said at a news conference, that, the authorities were awaiting autopsy results before making a final determination on the deaths.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio identified the mother as 45-year-old Lisa Gerhart at a press conference. She had recently separated from her husband. The other two victims were a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. All three had died of gunshot wounds. Authorities reportedly found a handgun near Gerhart's body.

Arpaio said that, “It’s very unusual to have this type of situation.”  “Maybe it was meant to sedate the victims."

"We're almost sure this is a murder-suicide, but we haven't closed the case," the sheriff said. "We're leaving a little part open just in case someone else could have caused these three deaths."

"She was crying (Saturday), said her husband had left her. They are a very quiet family. Never knew anything (was) going on. Just kids, very polite, home-schooled kids," neighbor Judy Peaton said. "I just can't believe it, I mean, she was a loving mother, she was crazy about her children."

“The youngest one helped with watering the flowers when we were gone,” neighbor Scott Schmidt said. “They were energetic, outgoing, great kids.”

Also Read: Teen girl killed by family member in accidental shooting in Tempe!

Nandini