Police block off a neighborhood in the Bethany area while detectives investigate the death of three people Wednesday. (KATU News Photo)

BETHANY, Ore. - Police said the three bodies found in a home of a Southeast Bethany neighborhood Wednesday was the result of a murder-suicide.

An out-of-state relative of the family called the Washington County Sheriff's office around 11:30 a.m. and asked it to check on the family after that relative became concerned about the family.

Washington County detectives said they believe that 44-year-old Mukesh Suther shot his 39-year-old wife, Varsha, and 9-year-old son, then shot himself with a handgun.  All three were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Police said they had trouble contacting the next of kin because the mother of one of the people found in the home lives in India.

Police also have not said how the murder-suicide occurred.

Authorities blocked off about a block of the neighborhood while they investigated the incident.

People in the community said the family was well-known and that Varsha Suther ran a salon out of the house.

Friends of the family are shocked and they said the tragedy may be related to money problems. They said the father, Mukesh Suther, had been out of work for more than a year.

Many like Mahendra Shah and his wife Nita brought small candles to light in front of the family’s home Wednesday night.

“They were under pressure of them being told to leave the high-rental house and trying to find another place to rent,” said Mahendra.

Kavitah Rachakatla said she had her hair done at the Varsha's salon.

“I knew her husband was not having [a] job, or something like that, or on contracts off and on,” Rachakatla said. “I don’t know at this point whether he’s employed or not employed.”

“It’s sad,” said neighbor Tony Sipe. “I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. Life’s just not worth suicide. There’s gotta be something else you can do. Very sad.”