Cops: Man kills young children, himself in Norwalk murder-suicide

Police blocked off Elizabeth Street Monday morning after three people were found dead in a garage. Police blocked off Elizabeth Street Monday morning after three people were found dead in a garage. Photo: Pat Tomlinson / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Pat Tomlinson / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Cops: Man kills young children, himself in Norwalk murder-suicide 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

NORWALK — Elizabeth Street residents awoke to screams Monday morning when a woman discovered a man and his children dead from an apparent murder-suicide in the garage of a vacant property.

Police said Yimi Moncada, 27, killed his two young children before killing himself at the South Norwalk property.

Police said they found Moncada and his children, Gisselle, 5, and Jesus, 4, around 7:30 a.m. Monday after receiving a call from a concerned family member.

The children were staying with their father for the weekend, but a family member notified police when they did not return on time. According to court records, Moncada and the children’s mother divorced in 2017.

Giselle Moncada-Valdavinos was a kindergarten student at Rowayton Elementary School. In a statement posted Monday on its Facebook page, Norwalk Public Schools called for the community to pray for the children who were victims of a “senseless act.” The district said counselors will be available by phone, video chat or video conference for anyone needing support.

“In the coming days, Rowayton will find a way to come together virtually and celebrate these beautiful children,” the statement said. “In time, when activities have started returning to normal, the school will have the opportunity to come together in person and remember Giselle.”

A woman, described by police as a family member, discovered the bodies at the dilapidated home, which is planned for demolition and has ties to a relative of Moncada.

Kristie Reda, who lives on Elizabeth Street, said her sister-in-law awoke at 7 a.m. Monday to the woman’s screams when she made the discovery.

“This makes me feel unbelievably sad — it just hits way too close to home,” Reda said. “This is something horrible to deal with in normal circumstances, and if you add in the quarantine situation, it’s something you really don’t want to see.”

Lt. Thomas Mattera, head of the Norwalk Police Detective Bureau, said he could not reveal whether Moncado left a note.

“I can’t get into any of the specifics because the investigation is still ongoing. What I can say is that this was a very traumatic incident and we are doing all we can to help the family,” Mattera said.

A Crime Scene Unit van could be seen outside the detached garage on the home’s property early Monday morning, as detectives investigated the scene.

The small, one-way street around the corner from the police station was closed to traffic for most of the day.

Ignoring the cold winds and occasional flurries, bystanders stood along the perimeter of the scene, marked by yellow caution tape, as police moved to and from the property.

“I wouldn’t say this is exactly a quiet neighborhood, but you never expect anything quite like this,” said one of bystanders, who only identified himself as a neighbor.