Four Family Members Found Deceased in Vacation Home from Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A Massachusetts family is mourning the tragic loss of four relatives who were found deceased on Christmas Day at their vacation home in Wakefield, New Hampshire, USA Today reports.

Authorities believe carbon monoxide poisoning may be the cause of death.

The Goldstein family, residents of Newton, Massachusetts, failed to arrive at a holiday gathering, prompting concerned relatives to request a welfare check. Wakefield police responded to their vacation home, located about 45 miles northeast of Concord, New Hampshire, at 4:21 p.m. on Wednesday. Inside, officers discovered the bodies of Matthew Goldstein, 52; Lyla Goldstein, 54; Valerie Goldstein, 22; and Violet Goldstein, 19.

The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Matthew Goldstein died from carbon monoxide poisoning, with the causes and manners of death for the other family members still pending.

Investigators are focusing on the home’s gas heating system as the potential source of the carbon monoxide leak. Officials confirmed that no working carbon monoxide alarms were found in the residence. The investigation remains ongoing.

Matthew Goldstein, an eighth-grade teacher at Edith C. Baker School in Brookline, Massachusetts, was remembered as a beloved educator and mentor.

“He cared deeply about every child feeling safe and supported,” said Yasameen Sharif, a coworker.

She added that his creativity and positivity inspired those around him, noting his legendary Halloween costumes and love for snow sculpture-making.

Lyla Goldstein, a long-time employee of Microsoft, was known for her dedication to her work and her family. Their daughters, Valerie and Violet, were also deeply mourned. Valerie was a recent graduate of Syracuse University, and Violet was a first-year student at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Brookline Superintendent Linus Guillory Jr. expressed condolences, saying Matthew Goldstein’s “dedication to inspiring students and shaping young minds has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can build up in enclosed spaces, making it a dangerous threat if undetected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that carbon monoxide poisoning causes over 400 deaths annually in the United States and sends more than 100,000 people to emergency rooms.

To prevent carbon monoxide exposure, experts recommend the following precautions:

• Install battery-operated or battery-backup carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping areas.
• Regularly service heating systems, water heaters, and other gas-powered appliances.
• Ensure chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected annually.
• Never use generators or burn charcoal indoors.
• Keep vehicles and fuel-burning equipment in well-ventilated areas.