A British mother-of-two is believed to be among five members of the same family killed in an apparent murder-suicide.
Kelly Boren, 32, who is reportedly originally from Northampton, was found dead at her home in the United States on Thursday night, along with her children, seven-year-old Joshua 'Jaden' Boren and Haley Boren, aged five, Spanish Fork Police in Utah said.
Also among those killed was Mrs Boren's mother 55-year-old Marie King, who is also understood to be from the Northamptonshire town, according to the Northampton Chronicle & Echo.
Local police said all four were fatally shot by Mrs Boren's husband, Joshua Boren - a serving officer - before he then took his own life.
Officials said they did not find a suicide note at the crime scene but Lieutenant Matthew Johnson of Spanish Fork Police said the couple had been experiencing marital problems in the months leading up to the shooting.
The victims were discovered after Mr Boren's colleagues at Lindon City Police alerted local officers when he failed to turn up for his night shift at work.
Chief Steve Adams, of Spanish Fork Police, said that when officers got to the family home to carry out a welfare check they immediately discovered blood marks and bullet casings inside.
Mr Boren's colleagues said they were aware the couple had undergone a period of separation but were on "friendly terms", with the family holidaying together in Disneyland, Florida, over Christmas.
His boss, Chief Cody Cullimore, of Lindon City Police, speaking to The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper, said: "There were no red flags - everything about him was outstanding."
"We're a small department, our families are one big family so we knew his entire family as well," he added. "It's just a tremendous shock."
Mr Cullimore said: "I was aware that there had been a recent period of separation, but I am not aware of any violence in the past or anything like that.
"His wife Kelly was a friend of mine and a friend of my wife so anything major that would have happened I probably would have known about.
"I know as a family they went to Disneyland over the Christmas holidays."
Mr Boren, aged 34, had previously served both as a corrections and patrol officer with the Utah County Sheriff's Office for seven years before joining the city police in October last year.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Mrs Boren was employed as finance director for nearby Bluffdale city.
Meanwhile, Ms King's sister Jeanette Malpas, of Northampton, paid tribute to her "beautiful" family.
Writing on her Facebook page, she said: "I cannot get my head around this and will never understand why someone has to take away lives like this.
"My beautiful sister Marie, her daughter Kelly and Kelly's children; Jaden and Haley, may you all rest in peace.
"Love you loads, to the moon and back."
The tribute page 'RIP Kelly, Marie, Jaden 'n' Haley' has also been set up on the social media site, attracting dozens of messages of condolence and support.