Tragedy as five dies in horrific multi-vehicle crash leading to road closure in Harrow

Essex County OPP have released the names of four family members in an ongoing death investigation in Harrow.

Police say they were all members of the same family. The circumstances that led to the individuals’ deaths remain under investigation.

Hundreds of people turned out for a vigil Sunday evening in Harrow. Friends remembered the mother as a pillar of the community during a vigil at the Harrow Soccer Complex, with one speaker referencing how important she was to Harrow Minor Soccer.

The Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board released a statement on Wednesday.

“The St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School community was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of two of its students and their parents due to the tragic circumstances that occurred in Harrow on June 20.

Madison Walsh was a Grade 7 student at St. Anthony. She will be remembered by her teachers and her friends as a kind, caring girl who always had a smile on her face, was a good friend who included others, and always tried to do the right thing.

Hunter Walsh was a Grade 3 student who will be remembered by his teachers and friends as a “sweet kid” who loved to play soccer, was always smiling and giving hugs to others.

Carly Walsh, mother of Madison and Hunter, was Vice Chair of the school’s Catholic School Advisory Council and will be remembered by the school community for always being present for school functions and council meetings. She cared deeply about St. Anthony, and was an important member of the school community.

The school community is struggling with the loss of the Walsh family, but staff, students and their families are relying on their faith and each other to get them through this extremely difficult time.

Members of the WECDSB’s mental health and faith teams have been present at the school throughout this situation and many staff members and students have been relying on their support services.

We would ask members of the media to respect the privacy of the school community as they continue to grieve the loss of this family.”

Officers say while the cause of death cannot yet be confirmed, investigators believe there is no imminent threat to public safety.

Essex OPP began the investigation on June 20, after receiving a request to check on the well-being of a person at the home, which led to the discovery of the deaths.

The investigation by the Essex County OPP Crime Unit continues under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from OPP Forensic Identification Services, and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.