Palmdale triple-murder victims ID'd as family members

PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities on Monday identified the victims of a triple homicide in Palmdale as three family members and said there is no suspect in custody.

The bodies of two men and a woman were found Saturday afternoon at a home in the 1100 block of Avenue N-12 after deputies were asked to conduct a welfare check at the residence.

The deceased were identified Monday as Richard Gardner II, 78, his wife Pepper Gardner, 56, and his son Richard Gardner III, 52.

Investigators say the victims suffered trauma to their bodies, but the cause of death will be determined by the coroner's office.

Their deaths are not believed to be a murder-suicide, officials said. They are being investigated as a triple homicide.

No one was in custody in the case, and a description of a suspect was not available.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.