Police: Gateway Woman Died of Natural Causes while Twin Daughters Died by Suicide

Authorities said Tuesday a woman possibly died of natural causes in the home she shared with her two adult daughters, who apparently died by suicide by inhaling carbon monoxide fumes while sitting in a car with its engine running.

Deputies were dispatched to 11814 223rd St. at 7:38 a.m. Monday on a report of a person not breathing and discovered the bodies, said Sgt. Paul Jernigan of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lakewood Station.

Misayo Yoshijima, 87, died in a bedroom, possibly of natural causes, said coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter. Her twin daughters, Arlene and Marlene Yoshijima, 58, were found dead in a vehicle in the garage, Winter said. Their deaths are being investigated as apparent suicides, Winter said.

Autopsies were pending on the bodies of all three women, Winter said.

A car was still running when responding deputies arrived at the home, said Art Marrujo, dispatch supervisor with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Three deputies who inhaled exhaust fumes were treated and released at a hospital, Marrujo said.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock