“We believe entry was gained by an open basement window,” Sloan said. “A K-9 unit picked up a trail and possible evidence leading from the house in the direction of the town and highway before the trail was lost. Our forensic people have been working at the scene through the night.”

Sloan then went through a list of next steps that included a bare-bones news release to be issued to the media later in the morning confirming four homicides were under investigation. They would release a tip line number for the public to call. She said investigators will be interviewing and reinterviewing people familiar with the Tullocks’ itinerary and movements in the time leading to the murders. A canvass and recanvass of residents and property in the immediate area would be conducted along with a grid search, including a search of all trash containers. Local motels, restaurants, gas stations and stores would be checked.

“We’ll run plates and names wherever possible—someone may have seen something,” Sloan said. “Okay, before wrapping up I’ll take a few questions.”

“Do we have any suspects?” an officer from Alden asked.

“At this point everybody’s a suspect.”

“Got a murder weapon?” the same officer asked.

“Several items were found at the scene and they’re being processed.”

“Any indication if this was random, or targeted?” an RCMP Corporal from Brandon asked. “Or the work of cults, something ritualistic, someone with a grudge or vendetta?”

“We can’t rule out anything at this time.”

“I ask because the word is that a message was found. You made no mention of that.”

“I can’t discuss that. It’s being kept confidential as key fact evidence, something only the person or persons responsible would know.”

“We understand,” a cop from Virden with a chiseled face said, “that the Tullock’s have a teenaged daughter. Have you accounted for her whereabouts?”

“She currently resides in a facility in Winnipeg, but yes, we have people there following up to confirm her movement.”

“Have you ruled out murder-suicide?” a member of the Winkler police asked. “Could Roy or Connie have committed the crimes?”

“We’ve ruled it out because of the nature of the wounds. The bodies will be removed later today and taken to Winnipeg for autopsies.”

“What about Roy’s business or the family’s social online networks? What if Roy or Connie gambled, had outstanding debts, or may have been blackmailed, anything like that?” an officer from Morden asked.

“We’ll look at all of it. We’ll be looking at all bank, computer and phone records, and we’ll be talking with all friends of the family, including those of the children. We’ll look at all employees, all contractors, everyone who worked for the family in any capacity or had contact with them.”

“Sergeant Sloan, aren’t you overlooking something?” an officer from Winkler asked. “Isn’t it basic procedure to get aerial photography of the scene?”