Albert Peterson, left, shot dead his wife Kathleen, right, and two sons hours after going to church.
The couple is pictured on January 4, 2010.

Each of the deceased died of gunshot wounds to the upper body.

The preliminary police investigation indicates that Albert Peterson killed his wife and their children
before taking his own life.

The family, who were active in their church, had lived in the home since it was built 28 years ago.

The victims

Mrs Peterson worked at Blackbird Technologies, a company that specializes in defense, law enforcement
and intelligence work.

Christopher, 13, right was an eighth grader at Rachel Carson Middle School and Matthew, 16, left, was
a sophomore at Westfield High School. Both were avid soccer players and active at their church.

Young: Mathew, left, and Christopher, right, pose for a photograph at an earlier date.

Albert Peterson biography