ORANGE COUNTY, Fla — A 47-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son whose bodies were discovered Monday afternoon in a home in the Azalea Park neighborhood are believed to have died in a murder-suicide, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
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Deputies were called shortly before 4:30 p.m. to the home on South Forsyth Road, near Lake Underhill and South Goldenrod roads, after a neighbor, who had not seen Leslie McKinley or Kody Larue in about two weeks, smelled an odor coming from the home, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jane Watrel said.
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An Orange County Fire Rescue hazmat crew forced its way into the home and discovered a handwritten note warning of "toxic chemicals," but the crew determined there was no threat and ventilated the home, Watrel said.
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"The remains of two bodies in advanced state of decomposition were located inside the bedroom," Watrel said. "It is believed the chemicals were inhaled by the victims."
Investigators said they believe McKinley killed herself and Larue.
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The medical examiner's office is determining what chemical the pair inhaled, deputies said.
A neighbor told Channel 9 that McKinley kept to herself and Larue had autism. Another neighbor said McKinley was experiencing a challenging time in her life and had isolated herself in recent months.
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Records said someone with McKinley's last name had owned the home for 14 years, but a bank took it over in June.
The deaths remain under investigation.
No other details were given.