Thomas Russell Ocheltree, Paula Truong Obituary, Death – Authorities in San Francisco have publicly identified the four family members who were recently found deceased inside their Westwood Highlands home, as investigators continue to look into what officials have described as a “suspicious” case. The tragic discovery has left the quiet community in shock as questions remain about what exactly happened.
Family identified
According to the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office, the victims have been identified as 57-year-old Thomas Russell Ocheltree, 53-year-old Paula Truong, 12-year-old Alexandra Ocheltree, and 9-year-old Mackenzie Ocheltree. The family lived together in a home on the 900 block of Monterey Boulevard. Officials said the official causes and manners of death will be determined pending the results of autopsies, which are still underway.
Investigation continues
Authorities have not yet shared many details about what led to the discovery or what may have occurred inside the home. The San Francisco Police Department said officers were dispatched around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday to perform a welfare check after someone requested assistance in checking on the residents. When officers entered the property, they found the four family members unresponsive.
While two unnamed sources told local outlet KTVU that the deaths might have been self-inflicted, the San Francisco Police Department has not confirmed that theory. Instead, officials said they are investigating the case as a set of suspicious deaths with indications that some criminal activity could have been involved.
Police spokesperson Officer Robert Rueca explained that the department’s homicide unit has taken charge of the investigation due to the nature of the scene and ongoing uncertainties. However, the case has not been officially classified as a homicide at this time. “At this point, the evidence is pointing toward a criminal case,” Rueca stated. “This appears to be a criminal action.”
Authorities said more information will be released once the autopsy findings are complete and detectives gather additional evidence from the scene. For now, the police are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the department’s tip line as the investigation continues.
Community in disbelief
Residents of the Westwood Highlands neighborhood described the Ocheltree family as quiet, friendly, and well-known for their festive home decorations. Many said they were deeply unsettled by the news, as incidents of this nature are extremely rare in their community.
Neighbor Benoit, who chose not to share his last name, described the family as “normal and friendly,” recalling that the parents and children would often be seen together. “It’s terrible, especially when you hear that there are young kids involved,” he said.
Another resident, Douglas, remembered the family’s home for its bright, seasonal decorations. “It was always one of the best-decorated houses around,” he said. “They seemed to be doing well, and they took pride in their home.”
Neighbor Jatin Kathuria noted that while he used to see the family frequently when they first moved in about a year ago, sightings had become less common in recent months. “We used to see more of them when they first arrived,” he explained. “But lately, it’s been pretty quiet around their place.”
The community, which is typically calm and family-oriented, has been left searching for answers. Many residents expressed a sense of disbelief that something so tragic could happen so close to home. Officer Rueca acknowledged those emotions, saying, “This neighborhood rarely sees any type of activity close to this. It’s been very difficult for everyone involved.”
As investigators continue their work, city officials have asked the public to avoid speculation and to wait for confirmed information. The deaths of the Ocheltree family remain under active investigation by both the San Francisco Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The tragedy has shaken not only the Westwood Highlands community but also the wider city, as friends, neighbors, and local leaders express sympathy for those affected and hope that answers will soon bring clarity to a deeply distressing situation.
