Relatives look for answers in Utah family deaths

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST ASSOCIATED PRESS

10 years ago

Unidentified people gather during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, in Springville, Utah. Relatives of five Utah family members found dead in their home of mysterious causes over the weekend say they are looking for answers that would give them closure. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Unidentified people gather as Bob McGee, right, spokesperson for the relatives of five Utah family members found dead in their home over the weekend, speaks with reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, in Springville, Utah. Relatives say they are looking for answers that would give them closure. McGee says they understand finding what killed the Springville family could take time. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Bob McGee, spokesperson for the relatives of five Utah family members found dead in their home of mysterious causes over the weekend, speaks with reporters during a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, in Springville, Utah. Relatives say they are looking for answers that would give them closure. McGee says they understand finding what killed the Springville family could take time. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Friends and relatives of five Utah family members found dead in their home gather before a news conference, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, in Springville, Utah. Relatives say they are looking for answers that would give them closure. Family spokesman Bob McGee says they understand finding what killed the Springville family could take time. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The home where five Utah family members were found dead Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, of mysterious causes is shown Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Springville, Utah, about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Relatives of five Utah family members found dead in their home of mysterious causes over the weekend said Tuesday they are looking for answers that could give them closure.

“We understand that those answers will take time, and that it is likely we will never know everything in perfect detail,” said Bob McGee, a spokesman who made the family’s first public statement at a news conference.

Authorities say the five members of the Strack family, including three children, didn’t die from gunshots or stab wounds. The results of toxicology tests results that could determine their causes of death are expected to take at least six weeks.

There were no signs of a struggle in their Springville home, police said.

The bodies were found Saturday night about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City and identified as Benjamin Strack, 37, his wife, Kristi, 36, and three of their children: Benson, 14, Emery, 12, and Zion, 11.

McGee said it was difficult to understand the sudden loss of so many loved ones.

“They will be deeply, sorely missed,” said McGee, who did not take questions from reporters. Several other members of the family gathered behind him and did not speak.

Ben Strack had a good nature and infectious smile that were complimented by his wife and shared with their children, McGee said.

A public vigil for the Stracks will be held Thursday at Pioneer Park in Provo.