Carbon monoxide tragedy: Officials announce names of those found dead in Massachusetts home

TYNGSBOROUGH — Chief Richard D. Howe reports that the Tyngsborough Police Department has released the identities of the two women found dead inside a home on Mascuppic Trail yesterday.

The deceased have been identified as Doris Gariepy, age 91, of Tyngsborough, and her caretaker Tonya McKinney, age 38, of St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica.

“On behalf of the department, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased,” Chief Howe said. “This is an absolute tragedy and we will continue to work diligently to determine how this occurred.”

Tyngsborough Police and Fire, along with Massachusetts State Police, responded to a home on Mascuppic Trail yesterday at approximately 10:45 a.m. for a report of two unresponsive individuals inside the home. Upon their arrival, sadly, first responders located Gariepy and McKinney deceased in the home.

Shortly after their arrival, specialized devices worn by Tyngsborough firefighters during calls indicated dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the building. The home was subsequently ventilated by firefighters.

Tyngsborough Police, Fire and National Grid remain on scene today looking to identify the cause of the dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

The incident remains under investigation by Tyngsborough Police Detectives.

While it is far from being a leading cause of death, it may surprise you that, according to the CDC, every year, at least 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning. Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency room each year due to accidental CO poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the second-leading cause of poisoning death after drugs.