Mother Strangles 3 Kids To Death, Hangs Herself In Backyard Shed

Danbury, Connecticut -- A mother is believed to have strangled her three children to death before hanging herself in a backyard shed of the family’s house in Connecticut.

Neighbors said the slain children’s father “fainted” when he walked into the house and discovered the horrifying scene.

Sonia Loja, 36, and her three children, all under the age of 12, were found dead inside their Danbury home Wednesday.

Sonia's husband, Pedro Panjon, had asked for a wellness check that led to the Danbury police finding the deceased children. They also found the mother hanging in the shed in the backyard, according to the New York Post.

Neighbors said Pedro requested the wellness check because he hadn't heard from his wife all day. However, he arrived at the house before the cops, neighbors said.

“He called the cops and asked them to do a wellness check and then he came here and he beat the cops here,” neighbor Elvis Espinal told the outlet. “So he went inside and like a couple minutes later he came out and he called 911 and just fainted to the ground.”

Authorities identified the children as Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5. The Ecuadorian family reportedly lived in the house with two other adults, who were not at home when the cops arrived.

Neighbors said the house looked like a happy home until Wednesday’s gruesome discovery.

"The kids were really good kids. They were really friendly kids," neighbor Ralph Baugher told ABC News Connecticut affiliate WTNH. "When you drive by, they would wave and say, ‘How are you doing?’ Wave back to them, ‘Hi, how are you doing?’ They were always happy kids. Always playing in the yard, having fun, laughing all the time."

"Why? I have no idea why," added another neighbor, Cindy Owens. "Something happened."

Espinal described Sonia as “even-tempered” and told the New York Post that she showed no signs of emotional distress.

“My mom even said, she never noticed anything abnormal about her,” Espinal told the outlet. “She was always nice to me. No attitude or anything. The kids were always very friendly, well-behaved.”

Police said the family and friends of the victims are being provided services by the mayor’s office as well as other city departments, ABC News reported.

"A truly horrible event occurred in our city yesterday and we mourn the tragic loss of life,” Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito said in a statement. “In the coming days, mental health and counseling services will be provided through collaboration with the Danbury Public Schools and the City of Danbury. Our community grieves for the innocent lives taken from us. We will get through this together.”

The investigation of the murder-suicide continues.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.