California Father Used Cord to Strangle His 7-Year-Old Son and Himself to Death in Murder-Suicide: Cops

A father and son died in California after authorities say the father used a cord to strangle his son and himself to death in the murder-suicide.

Around 7 p.m. on May 30, officers from Thousand Oaks police responded to a call regarding a possible suicide in a Thousand Oaks townhome, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Once at the scene, first responders found 43-year-old Blaine Paddock, who was non-responsive, and his son, who was unconscious and unresponsive, authorities said.

Paddock was pronounced dead at the scene and his son, whose name was not released, was transported to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, officials said.

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Autopsies were conducted by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office on both Paddock and his boy.

Authorities determined Paddock’s death was due to ligature strangulation, using a cord or something similar, and the manner was ruled suicide. The cause of death for his son was strangulation and the manner was homicide.

Detectives do not believe there are any outstanding suspects relating to the deaths. They said the investigation is ongoing.