Chicago father poisoned himself and his children with carbon monoxide in murder-suicide, police say

September 16, 2022

A man and his 10-year-old son died after the father allegedly poisoned himself and his children with carbon monoxide inside a home in Inverness, Chicago.

Woo Chang, 41, allegedly ran a generator inside his home in the 2200-block of Palatine Road during a scheduled visitation with his children on Sept 11.

The mother of the children said she found her estranged husband and their two children unconscious inside the home when the kids were not returned at their scheduled time, according to Inverness police.

Police responded to the scene at around 4:20 p.m. Chang and his 10-year-old son Austin were both pronounced dead at the scene. The boy’s 6-year-old sister was brought to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and was last listed in critical condition.

“It’s never a pleasant situation,” Inverness Police Chief Bob Haas told ABC 7 Chicago. “I’ve been doing this for over 40 years, but it’s a sad thing.”

Austin was a 5th grade student at Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School.

“The District is simply heartsick, and in both shock and mourning over the tragic loss of one of our students,” the Community Consolidated School District 15 wrote in a statement. “It goes without saying that this is a devastating loss for all of us here in District 15, especially as we look to the remainder of the school year where the child’s absence will be felt by classmates and staff.”

“Austin was a wonderful kid, he was truly one of the best kids I knew and he was so, so sweet. He put others first and he made me laugh all the time. I love him,” a neighbor who babysat the children told The Tribune. “[His sister] is just as great, she is a little sweetheart, and I am praying that she pulls through.”

Chang and Austin’s autopsies are scheduled for Monday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by friends of the Chang family to help cover funeral costs and medical expenses.

“[The 6-year-old girl] is opening her eyes and tracking. Listening to some commands. She is even recognizing faces and staring lovingly at her mama,” the fundraiser organizer wrote on Thursday. “They are taking her breathing tube out today as she is breathing on her own. Keep the prayers coming, they are working.”

Featured Image via GoFundMe

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