A family-of-four, including two young children, have been found dead in their home in New York's Westchester County on Thursday.

Police were called to 57 Romer Avenue in the village of Pleasantville to do a wellness check just before 2pm after the children did not show up for school.

The victims have been formally identified by police as Chaun-Kai Liu, 46 (also known as Tom), his wife, Dorothy Liu, 42, and their two children Tennyson, 7, and Adeline, 4.

Parents in the community told News12 that Tennyson was in second grade at Bedford Road School, and Adeline was in Pre-K.

At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Police Chief Eric Grutzner said: 'Evidence strongly suggests that Mr Liu used a knife to cause the death of his wife and children and then used that same knife to take his own life.

'While we do not have a motive, interviews indicate that Mr. Liu was under a considerable amount of stress.

'There are no reports of domestic violence at the family home.'

Grutzner would not reveal where in the house the bodies were found.



Chaun-Kai Liu, 46, who was also known as Tom (left), fatally stabbed his wife, Dorothy Liu, 42, (right) and their two children Tennyson, 7, and Adeline, 4 before he used the same knife to kill himself

Tom Liu was a project manager and business analyst at MUFG, a Japanese bank and financial services company

Two adults and the children were discovered by police who were called to the home (pictured) in the village of Pleasantville to do a wellness check on Thursday

The victims have been formally identified by police as Chaun-Kai Liu, 46 (also known as Tom), his wife, Dorothy Liu, 42, and their two children Tennyson, 7, and Adeline, 4

Grutzner added: 'Throughout the entirety of this investigation, the only information we found was that they were a wonderful, involved set of parents with two incredibly active and amazing children.'

Tom Liu was a project manager and business analyst at MUFG, a Japanese bank and financial services company.

In a statement, the company said: 'We are greatly saddened by the tragic loss of Tom Liu and his family. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to their family, friends and colleagues during this most difficult time. We are working to support our employees affected by this tragedy in any way we can.'

A family-of-four, including two young children, have been found dead in their home in New York's Westchester County - the scene is pictured above

Detectives leave home with evidence from a Westchester, NY home where two adults and two children are dead

'The causes of death have not yet been determined', Pleasantville Police Chief Eric Grutzner said during press conference at Village Hall Thursday night

At Friday's press conference, it was revealed the family were found dead by police officers conducting a wellness check.

The school district's superintendent, Mary Fox-Alter, said that police are contacted to perform a wellness check if a child does not turn up to school and if neither parent can be contacted. Grutzner said in those cases police often try to gain access through an open door or window, or ask the fire department to assist with finding a way into a home.

'When we receive notification to do a wellness check we attempt to find a way to get in open door or window and then go through house to determine whether any cause of alarm. In the vast majority of cases there is not, but in this case there was.'

Grutzner said police gained access to the house through an open door.

The Liu's had moved to Pleasantville from New York City in October 2016, because they had friends in the area and thought 'it would be a much better outdoor life for the children', according to a former neighbor spoken to by the NY Post.

Gloria Taplin, who lived in the same Forest Hills building as the Liu family's old apartment - where Dorothy's parents currently live - said that the young family had visited for Thanksgiving.

She added that they 'weren't troubled folks', and that the children were 'fantastic, smart kids'.

'I never saw any negativity on Tom’s part at all. I saw them together all the time. They went out together did things together, shopped,' Taplin told the NY Post.

Richard Rolandi, a family friend, told the New York Daily News, that he was also stunned by the news.

'They were like the perfect family - a beautiful man and wife, and two beautiful kids. He lived for his kids. She always made cookies for Halloween. He was laid-back and his wife was sweet,' he said.

On Friday, investigators remained on the scene after the horrific discovery in the quiet, close-knit community.

'Nothing ever happens here. The police don’t have anything to do. So when something like this happens, it’s devastating,' neighbor Brian Skarstad told CBS 2 New York.

'We know them very well. They’re just – this is the nicest family.'

Romer Avenue, where the home is located just down the street from Pleasantville High School, will likely remain shut down on Friday as cops continue their investigation, authorities said.

Local schools will be open and offer counseling for students, their families and staff members.

Romer Avenue, where the home (pictured) is located just down the street from Pleasantville High School, will likely remain shut down on Friday as cops continue their investigation, authorities said

Investigators remained on the scene after the horrific discovery in the quiet, close-knit community. The Pleasantville Police requested help from the Westchester County Police Department in the investigation, according to a press release

Students said they were alerted of the police investigation after an announcement was made at the high school, WNBC reports. They were assured there was no immediate danger in the area.

'As you can imagine our hearts are broken at the news of this incredible', Pleasantville schools Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter told WCBS.

'This is a very small community and it impacts all of us in this small village'.

The population of Pleasantville is just under 8,000.