Crime & Safety
Family Found Dead In Westwood Highlands Identified: Report
Among those found dead in San Francisco's Westwood Highlands neighborhood were two children, ages 9 and 12, according to a report.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The four people found dead inside a home in San Francisco’s Westwood Highlands neighborhood this week have been identified as a couple and their two daughters, according to a report.
Officers responded to the 900 block of Monterey Boulevard for a well-being check shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, police said earlier this week.
When officers arrived, they found the body of 57-year-old Thomas Ocheltree, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing a source familiar with the investigation who was granted anonymity. They also found Mackenzie Ocheltree, 9, and Alexandra Ocheltree, 12, on their respective beds, their bodies partially covered.
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Mackenzie was a student at Sunset Elementary, and Alexandra attended A.P. Giannini Middle School, the Chronicle reported.
Officers found no signs of a struggle, the source told the Chronicle. Ocheltree’s face was swollen and it appeared he had blood near his head. One of the children had a foamy pink substance near her mouth.
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The body of Ocheltree's wife, 53-year-old Paula Truong, was found hanging in the garage, the report said.
The Chronicle's report also provided a detailed account from Ocheltree's brother, Robert Ocheltree, who discovered the bodies after asking city police officers to check on the family. He said he hadn't heard from his brother in days and that the family was facing financial hardship.
The San Francisco Police Department’s homicide detail was notified and is leading the investigation, according to authorities.
“This appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no general threat to the public,” police said Wednesday.
Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the deaths.
Earlier this week, police declined to comment to Patch about where the bodies were found and whether the case was being considered a murder-suicide.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with “SFPD.”
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