A 42-year-old father and his two young children have died in what authorities describe as a suspected murder-suicide at a parking garage in Mt. Lebanon, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The victims were identified as Patrick Lynch, 42; his son James Lynch, 8; and his daughter Caroline Lynch, 6. Their bodies were discovered near the foot of the parking garage around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

Emergency responders attempted to revive the three family members but pronounced them dead at the scene from injuries sustained in an apparent fall.

The Allegheny County Police Department said preliminary findings suggested that the incident was a murder-suicide.

Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman told reporters that investigators were not treating the deaths as an accident, adding that the tragedy would have a significant impact on the community.

The motive behind the incident remains unclear.

Following the tragedy, the Mt. Lebanon School District announced the closure of two elementary schools on Wednesday, while counselling services were made available to support affected students.