A father in a northern Ontario city intentionally drove a car carrying his two children into a lake, killing everyone in the vehicle, police said Thursday as the man's family tried to explain what may have prompted his actions.
Julian Ottoson, 42, his seven-year-old daughter Isabella, and 11-year-old son Simon all died after the car went into Little Pearl Lake in Timmins, Ont., last Friday, police said.
"It is clear that this was an intentional act in which the father is directly responsible for the deaths of the two young persons," the force said. "This matter has been investigated as a homicide."
In a page-long statement, Julian Ottoson's family said they wanted to provide information to "try to make some sense of this senseless act."
Ottoson, they said, had been diagnosed with Huntington's Disease four years ago -- a disease that previously led to the death of his mother. The family described the illness as "almost like a cruel combination of Parkinson's plus Alzheimer's" and said there was a 50 per cent chance a child could inherit it from their parent.
"The diagnosis took its toll on Julian’s mental health, but he slowly came to terms as best one can in large measure with the strength and help of his wife," the family said.
Ottoson's wife then died two years ago from a type of cancer that carried an increased hereditary risk for her children, the family statement said.
"Julian was devastated. He was faced with the knowledge his children will not only have to grieve the loss of their mother, but soon their father too," the statement said.
"Then they must live with the twin Swords of Damocles – the possibility of inheriting not one, but two deadly diseases."
The family said it was sharing the details of Ottoson's personal circumstances not to excuse his actions but in the hopes that "it helps explain the unexplainable."
Timmins police said several people who saw Ottoson's car go into the lake tried to help save those inside the vehicle -- a situation his family acknowledged.
"The passers-by and the first responders who risked entering the water are heroes and we will never forget their efforts," the statement said.
"As the family left behind by the loss of Julian, Simon, and Isabella, we are grateful to everyone in the community and beyond for your tremendous outpouring of love and support."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2021.
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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
Denise Paglinawan, The Canadian Press
