A man has killed his wife and three children with a sledgehammer before himself.

Bricklayer Flavio Sandro Olmo, aged 42, carried out the crimes in the Brazilian municipality of Sao Domingos do Norte in the early hours of Tuesday 15th June.

The victims have been identified as wife Eusivania Marcelino de Souza, 40, daughter Laisla de Souza Olmo, 18, son Italo de Souza Olmo, 8, and daughter Anelise de Souza Olmo, 4.

According to the police, Flavio waited for his family to fall asleep before killing them with a sledgehammer weighing three kilogrammes (6.6 lbs) and a knife. He then went to his room and hanged himself.

According to the victims’ relatives, Flavio and Eusivania were in the process of separating. According to the police, Flavio had never been reported for violence, nor did he have a criminal record.

The crime was discovered by Flavio’s brother, who lives nearby. He told the police that his youngest niece, Anelise, usually passed by his house on her way to school. However, as she failed to turn up, he went to their home, where he came across the grim scene.

He also told officers that his brother had taken medication for depression in the past. However, he had appeared to have overcome it before the crime took place.

The family was well known in Sao Domingos do Norte, population 8,687, from church. The town hall has declared three days of mourning.

The police are investigating the case.