Homicide investigation underway after house fire in Platte
Tragedy has struck the small town of Platte, South Dakota after a family of six was killed Thursday morning in a house fire.
There are new details in the form of preliminary autopsy results for Scott and Nicole Westerhuis and their four children. This is now a homicide investigation as reports indicate Nicole and the four children died from shotgun wounds.
As for Scott – authorities are ruling it a suicide.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said, "Based on evidence of foul play continuing to be uncovered, law enforcement remains committed to a complete and thorough investigation."
Marcus King lives across the street from the Westerhuis home. He says he's known Scott Westerhuis since he was a little boy. "Oh it's devastating. When you lose the whole family, all six of them. You can't put your mind around it," said King.
The Charles Mix County Sheriff's Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation continue their investigation.
