SON AND PARENTS — MITCHELL, PAUL, ANITA GRAY — IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS OF SHOOTING, FIRE FRIDAY LAST IN BEATRICE
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
BEATRICE — A tragic end for family here last Friday has police confirming the deaths of a son and his parents.
Mitchell Gray, 29, and Paul Gray, 60, and Anita Gray, 59, died in a shooting and fire on Beatrice Town Line shortly after 8 p.m. Aug. 1.
All were from Bracebridge.
The father was shot in the driveway of their home, OPP Sergeant Joe Brisebois, Central Region Coordinator told MuskokaTODAY.com late this afternoon.
But due to the fire at their residence, police and fire officials were unable to confirm two other bodies found inside the home, he said.
Following a post mortem identification, conducted by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS), Mitchell and his mother were confirmed deceased.
The cause of her death was determined to be a gunshot wound, said an OPP release.
Mitchell Gray who was immediately said to be wanted for murder by police, also died inside the house.
The cause of his death was determined to be smoke inhalation, Brisebois said.
However, he said because police didn’t know who the other people in the house were they issued a wanted man and “arson” charges for the son.
And they also issued a shelter in place for the surrounding community, but said their was no public threat.
It was lifted just before 2 a.m. Saturday, August 2.
Brisebois said police took all precautions to protect the pubic in light of the situation and he said while they didn’t know whose bodies remained in the house they suspected it was the son and mother. But still searched the surrounding neighbourhoods, properties and farms.
Many suspected he had fled into neaby wooded farm areas he knew well growing up in.
“You’re always never quite sure,” Brisebois said by phone.
The OPP would like to thank the public and media for their patience and cooperation throughout this investigation.
“We appreciate your continued interest and support as we work to provide updates accurately and responsibly,” said Brisebois.
He said the police investigation remains ongoing by the OPP Crime Unit at Bracebridge under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner, the OFPS and the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is urged to contact the Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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