A family of five was found shot to death inside their home in Saco, Maine Sunday.

The family, which included three children aged 4, 7, and 12, were found dead in three different rooms inside their apartment.

Although their identities have yet to be released to the public, authorities have confirmed that the parents were in their 30s and the father was one of the apartment complex's maintenance worker.

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A family friend discovered the deaths after attempting, and failing, to contact the father. Upon checking the apartment, the family friend saw one of the bodies and immediately called police.

Police officers confirmed that a gun was located near one of the deceased and shell casings were also found in the home.

State police Sgt. Chris Harriman said there is no proof that anyone outside the family had committed the crime, but officials also have yet to determine if the killing was a murder-suicide.

Autopsies on the family members are scheduled for Monday.

Neighbor Heather Mason, who used to babysit the children, laid flowers outside the victims' home, now cordoned off with yellow police tape.

"I still don't want to believe it. I love those children like they were my own," she shared.

Kristi Harkins, another neighbor, commented on how nice and friendly the father of the family was, saying, "You'd walk and he'd ask how your day was going. He was really nice."

Harkins also shared that she had seen the eldest son playing outside on Saturday.

The complex, which runs along the Saco River, was described as a safe place where neighbors knew each other and kids played together. After the incident, groups of children who usually rode their bicycles outside were kept inside their homes by distressed parents worried about their safety.

Saco has a population of around 18,000 and is located in southern Maine. 

Tagsmaine family killed, saco maine murders, maine murder suicide