Connecticut mom strangles her 3 kids before hanging herself, police say after initial investigation

A Connecticut mother strangled her three children to death before hanging herself Wednesday in a tragedy that rocked a quiet suburban neighborhood, according to an initial investigation by police.

Danbury Police said an autopsy was scheduled to take place Thursday for Sonia Loja, 36, who is suspected to have died of asphyxia, and Junior Panjon, 12, Joselyn Panjon, 10, and Jonael Panjon, 5, who each appeared to die by strangulation.

“Pending an official autopsy, preliminary findings indicate that Ms. Loja strangled her three children before killing herself. However, this is still an active investigation,” Danbury Police said.

The new details were announced Thursday morning, hours after police said the three children were found dead at a Danbury home during a welfare check Wednesday night. The woman’s body was found in a backyard shed, police said.

An unidentified man was crying as he called police Wednesday, according to authorities. Police said Wednesday that the incident was considered isolated and didn’t pose a further threat to the community.

Loja and her three kids lived at 10 Whaley St., where the incident occurred, according to police. They lived with two other adults who weren’t home at the time of the deaths.

“A truly horrible event occurred in our city yesterday and we mourn the tragic loss of life,” Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito said Thursday.

“In the coming days, mental health and counseling services will be provided through collaboration with the Danbury Public Schools and the City of Danbury. Our community grieves for the innocent lives taken from us. We will get through this together.”

The deaths stunned residents of Danbury, who described their community as quiet.

“It’s shocking. I can’t believe it. I’m still shaking,” Atkin Guishard, who lives in the neighborhood, told the Connecticut Post. “I can’t believe something like this happened on this street. It’s a very quiet street. You don’t hear of things like that happening here.”

Fellow resident Ralph Biaugher shared a similar sentiment, telling the newspaper, “It’s crazy. I didn’t understand it. It’s just strange to me. … Four people dead. In my neighborhood. Kind of a hard pill to swallow.”

Danbury is located in Fairfield County in southwestern Connecticut, about 50 miles northeast of New York City and less than 30 miles northwest of Bridgeport, Conn.

The autopsy was scheduled to take place at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington, Conn.

“The Mayor’s Office and the City’s Police, Fire, Health, Education, Emergency Management, and Health Departments, along with Nuvance Health have coordinated efforts to provide services to the family and friends of the deceased,” Detective Captain Mark Williams said.

“As this is also an emotionally damaging incident for first responders, services have been extended to public safety personnel who responded to the scene.”