US Coast Guard officer Yohan Sanchez, family found dead in Florida home from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
A US Coast Guard officer, his wife and their children were found dead in their Florida home as officials fear the family suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning – hours after speaking to his mother on the phone.
The bodies of Yohan Sanchez, 33, his wife Rebecca Santos, 15-year-old son Michael Melendez and 2-year-old son Samuel Sanchez were found at their home in Ocala, about 70 miles outside of Orlando, during a “welfare check” around 10:30 p.m. Friday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.
Sanchez’s heartbroken mother, Jackie Soto, said she spoke to her son a few hours before he died.
“I can’t believe it. This is my child,” Soto told Fox 35.
She described their conversation as short and casual, adding that she was baking a cake at the time.
Authorities said foul play is not suspected and it appears the family was exposed to highly toxic, odorless gas.
“Investigators suspect the death may have been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, but the official cause of death is pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the deaths.
“Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,” the department added.
Sanchez’s sister, Noel Sanchez, said her brother “proudly served” in the Coast Guard Reserve before retiring last year, writing on a GoFundMe page set up to help pay for the young family’s funeral expenses.
The veteran’s brother, Sendy Sanchez, told WESH 2 that the pastor of the family first checked on them on Thursday after they missed a church event, but he left when the house seemed dark and quiet.
When the pastor returned on Friday and didn’t get a response, he called 911.
Neighbor Alexander James told the outlet that the family is “really nice,” saying they’ve lived in the home for about 10 months and maintain a good relationship with the neighbors.
Her brother also told the outlet that Sanchez and Santos met at a church in Massachusetts before moving to Florida about a year ago.
Sendy described her brother as a deeply devout Christian who devoted his life to family, faith and community service.
“No one expects this kind of tragedy,” he said. “We’re just overwhelmed.”
Ocala Christian Academy director Randy Osborn told the Ocala Star-Banner that Michael, a ninth-grader at the school, was very busy with his church and was preparing to preach Thursday evening.
The faculty “admired his leadership skills and his desire to study the Bible,” Osborn said.
“He enjoyed playing the piano, but more importantly, he strived to serve God and others.”
