Man kills wife, three children before committing suicide

A Maryland man, apparently having financial problems, is believed to have shot and stabbed to death his wife and three young children before killing himself with a shotgun, police said.

Christopher Wood (34), left behind five suicide notes, with one of them indicating he suffered from "psychological issues", CNN reported quoting Frederick County sheriff Chuck Jenkins as saying.

The victims have been identified as Frances Billotti Wood (33), along with the couple's children, a five-year-old boy, a four-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl, sheriff Jenkins said.

Wood was found in her bed with her daughter. The two boys were found in their beds. All had been shot with a .25-caliber pistol, Sheriff said adding they also had traumatic cuts and stab wounds.

Christopher Wood's body was found at the foot of the bed. Investigators believe he shot himself with a shotgun.

Wood's parents discovered the five bodies while visiting on the family on Saturday morning. The home was locked from inside, Sheriff said.

Police said they have found evidence that the family had been going through the financial problems from quite some time.

Autopsies will be performed on the bodies over the next few days, Sheriff said.