A dad in Phoenix, Arizona has murdered his wife, their three-year-old son and their six-month-old twin baby daughters before killing himself after she said she wanted to split.

Jasen Michael Hudgens, 44, murdered his wife Marla Jordan Hudgens, 40, and their three children, Christopher, Gwen and Faye, with a gun before killing himself by shooting himself in the head, say police.

The lifeless bodies of the family were found by the family’s babysitter, who contacted the police on Wednesday, 16th November, at around 8am.

Police responding to the scene found a strong smell of gas when they got to their home and deployed a hazmat team.

Once it was deemed safe to enter, detectives “discovered the bodies of two adults and three children from what are believed to be members of the same family”, according to the police.

They added: “The bodies had obvious signs of trauma.”

They also said: “Support services were offered to the neighbours of this tight-knit neighbourhood and those associated with the victims.”

Marla was reportedly a partner at the Phoenix office of the Lewis Roca law firm.

Ken Van Winkle, Jr., managing partner of Lewis Roca, told local media: “We are overwhelmed with grief at the loss of our friend, colleague and partner, Marla Hudgens, and her family.”

He added: “We are in complete shock and are only just beginning to process this awful tragedy.

“Marla was a passionate lawyer and advocate for her clients. She was an equally passionate leader who worked tirelessly to make our firm a better place. But more than that, Marla was a loving mother and loyal friend. The impact of this loss on the community and on our firm is immeasurable.”

Marla’s friends have reportedly said that she wanted to end her marriage to her husband before he murdered her and their three children.

The investigation is ongoing.