The four people found dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning inside their New Hampshire lake house on Christmas Day have been identified as a family from Massachusetts.
‘Tragic’: State fire marshal answers questions after Mass. family found dead in NH vacation home
Officers responding to a home at 2962 Province Lake Road in Wakefield, New Hampshire, for a welfare check just before 4:30 p.m. on Christmas found four adults dead inside, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey, Wakefield Fire Rescue Chief Todd Nason, and Wakefield Police Chief Michael Fenton announced in a joint statement.
New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey on Friday identified the victims as Matthew Goldstein, 52, his 54-year-old wife Lyla Goldstein, and his two daughters Valerie Goldstein, 22, and Violet Goldstein, 19, all of Newton, Massachusetts.
Efforts to determine the cause of the suspected carbon monoxide leak remain active and ongoing, and investigators are continuing to inspect the home’s gas heating system, according to Toomey.
The family was expected to attend a holiday event before their deaths. Toomey said three victims were found in a bedroom and one in a bathroom.
“When they did not show up at the event, family members contacted local authorities and requested a welfare check, ultimately leading to the discovery of the victims,” Toomey said. “Additionally, no working carbon monoxide alarms have been found in the home.”
Brookline Public Schools Superintendent Linus Guillory confirmed to Boston 25 News that Matthew Goldstein was a town teacher.
“We are deeply heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mr. Matt Goldstein, an exceptional educator and a beloved member of our PSB and Baker School Community,” Guillory said in a statement. “Mr. Goldstein’s dedication to inspiring students and shaping young minds has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
The Edith C. Baker School where Goldstein worked serves the Chestnut Hill and South Brookline neighborhoods of Brookline and is one of the largest elementary schools in the town.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and students during this profoundly difficult time,” Guillory added. “We are committed to providing the support and resources needed for the Baker School Community as we grieve this tremendous loss together.”
The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Matthew Goldstein’s cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning, and the manner is pending. The cause and manner of death of Lyla Goldstein, Valerie Goldstein, and Violet Goldstein remain pending.
Baker School Principal Saeed Ola said educators are assembling a support plan for students and staff.
“Tragic news like this is difficult to process, and we know that our entire school community will need support during this challenging time,” Ola said in a statement. “To this end, we are working closely with our school-based and district-level clinicians along with district-level staff to develop a support plan for our students and staff. In the meantime, we encourage you to reach out if you have any immediate concerns or need assistance.”
In a statement, Rhode Island School of Design President Crystal Williams said that Violet was a first-year student at the school.
“This is an unimaginable loss for Violet’s loved ones, friends, faculty, peers, and all of us in the RISD community, and we are currently reaching out to Violet’s closest friends,” President Williams said. “As we process and mourn this tragedy, please take comfort in your loved ones and keep Violet and her family in your thoughts.”
School officials say although the college is closed for winter break, counseling and psychological services will still be available for students and faculty who feel they need help processing the loss.
“I know that you join me in feeling utter heartbreak at the loss of such a promising young member of our community, along with her family, on what should have been a joyous occasion,” she said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for a memorial bench plaque at the Baker School. If you’d like to donate, you can click here.
Anyone with information for investigators is encouraged to call the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.
Wakefield is a small town in the Lakes Region, east of Lake Winnipesaukee. The town’s population was 5,201 at the 2020 census.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
