Coconino County officials said a significant failure in the heating system may have led to possible carbon monoxide poisoning in the deaths of an El Mirage family over the weekend.

Today, investigators from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office employed the assistance of a professional, licensed heating/cooling service provider to investigate the heating system of the cabin in which four people were found dead on Jan. 1.

According to CCSO, the contractor found a significant failure in the heating system which would be consistent with carbon monoxide overcoming the residence.  Officials said the heating unit was the only gas appliance in the home.

"This provides additional evidence regarding a possible carbon monoxide related event," the CCSO states.

According to a release, a family friend called the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at about 12:30 p.m. Jan. 1, telling deputies of a family that was staying at their cabin in Parks. The caller said family members had been trying to contact them for a few days with no success and had become concerned.

The caller requested a welfare check on the family.

Around 1:20 p.m., a CCSO deputy from the Williams Substation arrived at the residence. The deputy located a vehicle matching the description given by the caller in the driveway of the cabin.

After approaching the cabin, the deputy reported a strong odor of gas coming from inside. Additional units were requested, and the Ponderosa Fire District was notified and asked to respond.

The Ponderosa units arrived on scene around 1:40 p.m.. They had to put on protective breathing equipment to enter the cabin. They located four deceased individuals inside the residence.

Officials identified them as 32-year-old Anthony Capitano, 32-year-old Meaghan Capitano, 4-year-old Lincoln Capitano, and 3-year-old Kingsley Capitano, all from El Mirage.

The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office will further investigate the exact cause of death.

Parks is about a 160-mile drive from El Mirage.