Bullhead City police investigating after three found dead

KINGMAN, Ariz. - Bullhead City police said it could take a week or more to determine how three family members found dead in their home Thursday were killed.

The bodies of Robert Bryan Ulan, 53, Valerie Jean Ulan, 47, and her son, 17-year-old Jay Jeffrey Artz, were discovered in the family home in the 2400 block of Merrill Avenue, city spokesman Steve Johnson said.

Police officers were dispatched to the residence about 9 a.m. Thursday after Robert Ulan failed to show up to his job with Bullhead City, where he had worked for 13 years, Johnson said.

The bodies were found near each other, and a rifle was recovered from underneath Robert Ulan's body, the spokesman said.

Autopsies were scheduled Monday to determine causes of death. Detectives don't expect to find any outside involvement in the deaths but hesitated to label them a murder-suicide until more is learned, Johnson said.

"With the evidence we've collected so far, we have no reason to believe this incident involves anyone except these three people," Deputy Police Chief Brian Williamson said.

The motive for the killings remained unknown, and there was no indication of any history of domestic violence, drug involvement, health problems or financial crisis, Johnson said.

"We are shocked by this senseless tragedy,'' Bullhead City Manager Toby Cotter said. "It's hit our community hard."

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the families involved," Mayor Jack Hakim said.

"The council and I are deeply saddened by this tragedy, the likes of which have never before been seen in our community," he added.