Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes told WITN that he is awaiting autopsy results to provide further details, but at this time, he believes the deaths were part of a murder-suicide.
Hughes told WCTI Michael Jay Ireland, his wife April and three children, ages 8 months, 3 and 4, were among the deceased found inside.
ABC11 learned that Ireland was set to bury his own step-father after he passed away from cancer.
Further details will be released Monday when autopsies are completed.