A family of 4 died Christmas Day at their New Hampshire lake house after likely carbon monoxide leak
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A Massachusetts couple and their two daughters were identified by authorities Friday as the victims of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after they were found dead at their lake house in New Hampshire on Christmas Day. Matthew Goldstein, 52, was an elementary school teacher in Chestnut Hill and Lyla Goldstein, 54, was a project manager at Microsoft, according to online profiles. Their daughters, Valerie, 22, and Violet, 19, also died in the accident. The family all lived in Newton, Massachusetts, and were visiting New Hampshire over the Christmas holidays.
Investigators said they are continuing to inspect the home's propane gas heating system and suspect there was a carbon monoxide leak, although they haven't yet determined its cause. New Hampshire's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completed an autopsy of Matthew Goldstein and found his cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. Autopsies have yet to be completed on the other three victims.
New Hampshire Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said there were no carbon monoxide alarms found in the home, and he urged people to install and maintain such alarms. “This has been a terribly tragic year for both fire deaths and carbon monoxide deaths,” Toomey said. “To lose a whole family of four right in the peak of the holiday season hits home even more.".
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes carbon monoxide as a colorless, odorless gas that can kill without warning. The CDC said more than 400 Americans die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, while another 14,000 are hospitalized.
