Headline from CTV NEWS on discovery

Date: Mon. Apr. 24 2006 7:49 AM ET

Police are investigating after three bodies were found in a home on a quiet residential street in Medicine Hat, Alta., a city in the province's southeast.

The bodies are that of a middle-aged man, a middle-aged woman and a pre-teen boy, authorities said.

Local media reported that a young boy went to the home early Sunday afternoon to call on a friend, thought he saw a body through the window, and ran home to his mother. She then called the police.

"A caller did observe a body within the residence and called us, and that's how we got dispatched or made aware of the scene," Medicine Hat police Sgt. Dave Townsend told CTV's Canada AM on Monday morning.

Police haven't released the victims' names, but say they are treating the deaths as possible homicides.

Authorities also sent out a news release asking for the public's help in locating a 13-year-old girl "regarding a serious family matter."

The Medicine Hat News reported Jasmine Richardson is the dead couple's daughter.

"She may or may not be related to the homicide. However, we're just trying to ensure that she is safe," Townsend said.

Townsend would not confirm whether she was considered a suspect.

"If she is a suspect, we would not be able to release her information, because she would be a young offender, so at this time, I don't have that information available to pass on," he said.

She hadn't been located as of late Sunday night.

Police have not released any details on the cause of death. The victims won't be identified until next of kin are notified and autopsies are conducted, which could take until Wednesday, Townsend said.

Medicine Hat News reported that a white truck sat in the driveway of the house with its passenger window smashed out.

Phyllis Gehring, who lives next door to home where the bodies were found, told The Canadian Press the family was quiet and were good neighbours.

"We knew them, but it wasn't like they came over or we went over there. We had no problem with them whatsoever.

"I never heard a harsh word between the mother and father. This is very surprising for me. It's very hard to deal with," Gehring said.

With files from The Canadian Press