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BEAR CREEK TWP. — State police have confirmed stabbing as the cause of death in a murder-suicide after two bodies were found in a vehicle in the area of Laurel Run Road.
Police have identified the victims as Christina J. Tyler, 31, of Wilkes-Barre, and Olivia E. Tyler, 5, of Wilkes-Barre.
State police said the Major Case Team from Troop P in Wyoming is investigating. No one remains at large and no related issues are unresolved, state police said.
A report from the Luzerne County Coroner’s Office on Friday evening confirmed the cause and manner of death for both individuals: both died as a result of loss of blood after having been stabbed, with the younger Tyler’s death being ruled a homicide, and the older’s death a suicide.
The child was a kindergarten student at the Bear Creek Community Charter School. Jim Smith, chief executive officer of the school, Friday issued a statement:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that the extended Bear Creek Community Charter School family mourn the untimely loss of one of our kindergarten students, Olivia Tyler, as well as her mom. Losing someone you love is never an easy thing, but losing someone so young with the untapped potential to change our world for the better, makes the situation so much more difficult. Olivia was a young, innocent, and fun-loving kindergartner. That is how she is going to be remembered by her school family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Olivia’s extended family.”
Smith said the school’s counselor and psychologist would be available for students and staff. In addition, Smith said, the school has engaged professional counseling services to help cope with the tragic situation.
The young girl is remembered as a energetic, polite and “cute as could be,” by Lisa Hummel, owner of Northeast Gymnastics in Hanover Township.
Hummel also recalled the mother as shy and quiet. The mom would sit on a bench and watch her daughter take weekly classes with other preschool students at the gym during the spring and summer, Hummel said.
“Her daughter was the best one in her class,” Hummel said. “She was very athletic. She was a very good listener.”
The preschool students do all around gymnastics and the girl learned the exercises quickly, Hummel said.
“We were going to test her for our pixie team.,” Hummel said. But the mother and daughter did not return for classes in the fall, Hummel said.
Hummel said she did not notice any problems with the girl and her mother.
A review of criminal and civil court records did not produce any results for the adult Tyler.
Troopers responded to the area under PPL Electric power lines just off Laurel Run Road after 7 a.m., finding the bodies inside a Chevrolet Cruze parked on an access road.
The Luzerne County Coroner’s Office removed the bodies as troopers with the Forensic Services Unit processed the scene.
Falzone’s Towing towed the car.