FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Law Enforcement experts tell Fox 4 the Lee County Sheriff will investigate the death of a woman and her two daughters on Sunday as a homicide investigation.
27-year-old Patrick Carlopoli is the only survivor. He's now in police custody facing one count of homicide and two counts of conspiracy to commit suicide.
Former Jersey City Police Chief Walter Zalisko says Law Enforcement will have to begin questioning those who knew Patrick and his girlfriend, 37-year-old Tammy Modlin, best. "Whether they were depressed, had financial problems, why would somebody do this to kill their children and the family members ?" Zalisko said.
Experts like Zalisko are speculating the murders could have been a failed murder pact between the couple.
"If the suspect is claiming that the wife killed, shot the child, the police should be looking to see if there's any gun shot residue on her hand, they also should be seeing where the wounds were inflicted," Zalisko said.
Former State Attorney Joe D'Alessandro tells Fox 4 it's likely the State Attorney's office will level more charges against Carlopoli once they conduct their own investigation based on his statement. "They'll be able to evaluate whatever statement he gave if in fact he gave one and its admissible. If its not admissible that may change a lot of the information they know they can't use."
While published reports have indicated Carlopoli told investigators about the suicide pact, the Lee County Sheriff will not confirm it. "Both sides have to thoroughly investigate the survivors past because you have to try to find out what made this happen," D'Alessandro said.
