Motive unclear after Ohio man kills wife, 3 kids

OAK HARBOR, Ohio (AP) — Investigators say they’re still not sure why a northern Ohio man killed his three young children and wife before taking his own life.

Family members say the couple had been going through marital problems, but nothing that raised any concerns.

The bodies of all five were found early Saturday in a farmhouse southeast of Toledo near Oak Harbor. In a 911 call, Alan Atwater calmly told a dispatcher he had shot his family and was getting ready to kill himself.

Ottawa County Sheriff Bob Bratton says investigators are waiting for autopsies to be finished and plan on talking with more family members.

He says they’ve learned so far that the couple had disagreements, but he adds that there’s no record of authorities previously being called to the home.