Mother, 40, and two young sons lose lives to 'silent killer' while on vacation in Mexico
Brenda Correa, 40, and her sons Leo, 14, and Armando, 13, of Des Plaines were found dead on July 2 after family members grew concerned when they stopped answering their phones.
The trio had been staying at a home in Michoacan, in west-central Mexico, when they were overcome by the deadly gas – known as the 'silent killer.'
Correa was found in the shower, while her two boys were discovered near their beds, according to her sister-in-law Milena Mroczek, who has been keeping friends and family updated on her Facebook page.
It was an uncle who made the grim discovery after being sent to check on them.
Heartbreakingly, Brenda's husband, Armando Correa Sr., and their daughter Brittany had remained behind in Illinois – and were not with them during the doomed trip.
No one else was in the house at the time of the tragedy, and the cause of death remains under investigation by authorities in Mexico.
The family had hoped to repatriate the bodies, but due to the ongoing investigation, Brenda and her sons were laid to rest in Mexico.
The shock loss has rocked the family's community in Des Plaines, Illinois, where Brenda worked as a teacher at the Westerhold Early Learning Center.
'She had a wonderful outlook on life,' Mroczek said. 'She always had a smile on her face.'
Leo had just graduated from eighth grade at Algonquin Middle School and was due to start high school at Maine West in the fall.
His younger brother, Armando, was heading into the eighth grade and was remembered for his cheeky sense of humor.
Des Plaines School District 62 said they were 'devastated' by the loss and would be offering emotional support services to students, staff, and grieving families.
Tributes have poured in online from stunned friends, parents, and coworkers.
Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski called the deaths 'heartbreaking' and urged residents to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Catholic Church in Des Plaines.
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