Family Of 3, Including Toddler, Found Dead Inside Home From Possible Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Police Say
Authorities in Riverton, Wyoming, are investigating a tragic case of suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning that left three members of a family dead inside their home.
The victims, two adults and a toddler, were discovered after a concerned neighbor called the police to report an unusual odor in the area. When officials forced entry into the residence, they found the family members deceased, along with several family pets.
Upon entering the house, fire department personnel detected alarmingly high levels of carbon monoxide. The gas, which is both odorless and colorless, is notoriously difficult to detect without specialized equipment, often earning it the moniker of the “silent killer.
” Carbon monoxide can leak from a variety of sources, including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, and even car exhaust if a vehicle is left running in an enclosed space.
Why Carbon Monoxide is So Dangerous
Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when fuel-burning appliances and engines emit CO gas, which can build up in poorly ventilated or enclosed spaces.
Because carbon monoxide is inhaled in the lungs and attaches to hemoglobin in red blood cells, it effectively deprives vital organs of oxygen. Symptoms of poisoning include dizziness, headache, weakness, confusion, and nausea. In severe cases, carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal within minutes.
Without a CO detector, families can unknowingly be exposed to dangerous levels. When asleep, victims may not wake up to recognize symptoms, which makes nighttime leaks especially hazardous.