Hamilton County authorities identify 3 found dead in home on Christmas

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Hamilton County authorities on Tuesday were still investigating the deaths of three family members who were found dead in their home Christmas Day by a relative.

An elderly couple and their adult son were found dead inside their home in the 11000 block of East 191st Street around 4:35 p.m. Monday, according to a news release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

Fox59 reports that the Hamilton County coroner's office identified the three as 84-year-old Donald Moon Sr., 81-year-old Joyce Moon and Todd Moon, 48. Additional information about the shooting was not released.

The couple's daughter found their bodies while paying a holiday visit.

"She's very shaken up, obviously, as anybody would be when something like this happens to your family on a holiday or anytime," Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen said Monday evening. "It's just very sad to see. It's tragic anytime something like this happens. But certainly on a holiday like Christmas it really hits home."

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Autopsies are slated to take place Wednesday with official confirmation of cause and manner of death to follow, Hamilton County authorities said.

Tuesday morning, the front window of the family's brick ranch home was boarded up. The house sits on an acre of land carved out from a nearby farm field. Several other small homes on similar sized lots line the country road just east of Noblesville’s sprawling development. 

Neighbors declined to talk on the record to IndyStar, but several said they didn’t know the Moons well. They said the family seemed friendly enough, if quiet. 

Bowen said on Monday that whether the son lived in the home was unclear.

"We're not quite sure what the status was of the son, but that's all part of the investigation trying to determine who resided here, what the family status was and what the situation is that led up to this horrible, horrible event on Christmas Day," Bowen said. 

Neighbors reported hearing gunshots, Bowen said. It's a "distinct possibility" that the deaths are a result of a murder-suicide, Bowen said.

Fox59 contributed to this report.

IndyStar reporter Chris Sikich contributed to this article. Call IndyStar reporter Amy Bartner at (317) 444-6752. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.