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8-year-old boy one of two dead found in Coquitlam home

IHIT had earlier said one of the two found dead was a victim of a homicide
Homicide investigators gather evidence from a home at 719 Seaton Avenue in Coquitlam Wednesday morning.

An eight-year-old boy and his 40-year-old father were the two people found dead in a home in Coquitlam earlier this week, according the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

The two bodies were discovered at approximately 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Friday, Cpl. Frank Jang of IHIT confirmed that police weren't looking for any suspects and expressed his condolences to the family.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family. What further words can be said in this situation? It's so tragic," Jang said.

But he said IHIT will not be releasing the identities of the two dead people, saying there is no need to further upset family members, including the boy's mother and siblings. And while autopsies were conducted yesterday, the cause of death is not being released.

But members of the public are hearing via CBC the identities of the victims.

The news organization reported Friday that Nicole Taitinger, the mother of the boy, Oscar, confirmed that the dead man, Mark Taitinger, was her ex-husband and that they had broken up in the summer after many years of marriage.

Court documents confirm the two had entered into court proceedings in September.

Coquitlam RCMP officers arrived at a home on Seaton Avenue Monday at 3:30 p.m. to discover two people dead inside, according to a press release. The Integrated Homicide Investigative Team (IHIT) later took control of the scene. 

The Tri-City News has not been able to independently confirm the identity of the father and son.

School District 43 is also not confirming any information or releasing any details as to whether the boy was one of its students and if counsellors and other supports were made available to staff and students.

However, in an email, SD43 spokesperson Ken Hoff stated: “Anytime a student dies suddenly and unexpectedly, a District Critical Incident Team is mobilized to provide support to students, staff and the school community. Typically the team is activated immediately and remains onsite as long as necessary to provide comfort and guidance.”

Jang said family members of the deceased are getting support from Coquitlam RCMP and IHIT victim services.