Parents, 2 sons found dead in home from murder-suicide

An Iowa family of four was found shot dead at home in a murder-suicide, officials said.

Chandrasekhar "Chandra" Sunkara, 44, died by suicide while his wife, Lavanya Sunkara, 41, and sons, ages 15 and 10, were shot and killed, West Des Moines police said on Monday. The two children were not named.

Their bodies were found in their West Des Moines home Saturday morning, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Chandrasekhar Sunkara was an IT employee with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the department said.

Relatives had been visiting at the time, according to police. When the bodies were found, one of the family members ran outside to find help.

"Officials are working with surviving family members to provide support," West Des Moines police said Monday.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Sunkaras," the Department of Public Safety said in a statement Sunday.