TRIGGER WARNING: The following story may be distressing to some readers as it tackles topics such as suicide.
A retired employee and three current members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) were found dead by suicide within a 24-hour period beginning Monday this week (November 6).
According to a statement by the department, the first death was reported at around 10:30 on Monday in Santa Clarita. Homicide detectives were then called to a second death in Lancaster two hours later. Later that day, at 17:40, detectives were again called to a home in Stevenson Ranch.
The next morning (Tuesday, November 7), detectives were sent to a hospital in Pomona, where a current LASD employee was declared dead.
"Out of respect for their grieving families we will not be disclosing the names of the employees at this time," the statement added. "Homicide detectives and the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner will continue to investigate each incident independently."
The Los Angeles Times has since identified the first two deceased as Darren Harris and Greg Hovland, respectively, with the identities of the third and fourth deaths yet to be identified.
Details on the deaths remain unclear and investigators have not stated if they were all connected.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) speaks about a task force targeting wage theft outside of the Hall of Justice on February 9, 2021, in Los Angeles, California.
LASD Mourns Loss of Employees
Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna also issued a separate statement, saying that they were "stunned" to learn of the deaths of the four people affiliated with the department.
"During trying times like these it's important for personnel regardless of rank or position to check on the well-being of other colleagues and friends," he added. "I have the deepest concern for our employee's well-being, and we are urgently exploring avenues to reduce work stress factors to support our employees' work and personal lives."
Meanwhile, LASD stated it was offering resources to the impacted families as well as confidential counseling for department personnel.
This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.
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