Anthony Nazareth and his daughter Hannah Nazareth in a photo the father posted on Facebook.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Authorities are considering a number of possibilities that led to a father and 11-year-old daughter being found dead in their Plunkett Street home.
Police found the bodies of Anthony Nazareth, 47, and Hannah Nazareth, 11, inside the third-floor apartment at 72 Plunkett Street on Monday. The incident was initially feared a murder/suicide by law enforcement.
However, on Tuesday, District Attorney David Capeless' office said preliminary results show that the father may have died from a drug overdose and the daughter showed no signs of trauma to her body.
Dr. Richard Atkinson, an associate medical examiner for the state, performed an autopsy on Anthony Nazareth and the cause of death is still undetermined. Authorities say preliminary toxicological tests indicate a possibility that he had died because of a drug overdose.
Dr. Lindsey Emery, an associate medical examiner for the office of the medical examiner in Boston, performed an autopsy on Hannah Nazareth and found no signs of trauma to her body. Again, the cause of death remains unknown until the results of further tests are revealed.
"Police are actively investigating this case and are speaking with family and friends of the Nazareths. They are considering a number of different scenarios as to what occurred inside the apartment and when it took place," reads a statement from the district attorney's office.
The bodies were found after police forced their way into the home at about 4 p.m. The apartment was locked from the inside, police say, but it is unclear what prompted the response.
For hours a section of Plunkett Street was blocked off in front of the house, which sits directly behind Berkshire Wine and Liquors near the intersection with Tyler Street, as authorities investigated the scene. The investigation is being conducted by the local and state police. The Berkshire County Sheriff's Department assisted on scene Monday night.
Late Monday night, the district attorney's office released a statement which read, "at this point, based upon what police have discovered, investigators fear that what occurred is a murder suicide. The matter remains under investigation and police are seeking information from family members and friends."
Hannah Nazareth was a student in Pittsfield Public Schools. Superintendent Jason McCandless sent an e-mail to parents saying there will be counselors at the schools to assist with children dealing with the events.
"Although school is not in session, we believe that that the challenges of being a student and the challenges of being the parent or guardian of a student are great — and that as a school system — we must offer support and help in this work year round. We want to be of service to your family as you work to deal with violence and loss of life in our community as we all deal with heartbreak and loss," McCandless wrote.
Counselors will be available at both Morningside and Conte from 12:30 until 1, during community lunches, until next Wednesday. Parents can also have individual consultations at Morningside Community School from 1 until 3 on Thursday, Aug. 6.
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Anthony Nazareth and his daughter Hannah Nazareth in a photo the father posted on Facebook.