LANCASTER (CNS) - A 34-year-old man was in custody this morning suspected of killing his 12-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
Maurice Taylor Sr. was booked at the Lancaster Sheriff's Station on suspicion of murder and held in lieu of $2 million bail, according to Deputy Eric Ortiz of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
The deaths were reported at 7:50 a.m. Friday in a home in the 45000 block of Century Circle in Lancaster, Ortiz said.
Paramedics went to the location on a report of a possible natural gas leak, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
However, sheriff's Lt. Brandon Dean told reporters at the scene that the pair may have been stabbed to death, and apparently did not die as a result of a natural gas leak.
“Detectives have learned that the deceased male and female both appeared to be suffering from lacerations and stab wounds,'' said Deputy Eric Ortiz.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris told the Los Angeles Times that the two were decapitated, but City News Service could not independently confirm that report.
Their names were not released.
A man, woman and two children were questioned by homicide detectives, the sheriff's department said.
Anyone with more information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images