Police found three 71-year-olds dead inside a Tiffany Drive home after a woman reported her former husband was not welcome there.
NORTH ROYALTON, OH — A 71-year-old husband and wife were found dead in their North Royalton home Tuesday night, and police later found their former son-in-law dead inside the same house after responding to a report of an unwanted guest.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the homeowners as Emilia Ciortan and Sorin Ciortan, both 71. The third person was identified as Stefan Pascu, also 71. Police said Pascu was the former husband of the couple’s daughter. Investigators were continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the three deaths Wednesday.
North Royalton police were called to the 8900 block of Tiffany Drive at about 7:57 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. According to police accounts reported by multiple news organizations, a woman told authorities that her former husband’s vehicle was parked in her parents’ driveway and that she could not reach her parents. She told police that the man was not welcome at the home.
Officers tried to contact the homeowners but received no response before entering the residence. Police said Sorin Ciortan was found dead in an upstairs area of the home and Emilia Ciortan was found dead in the dining room. Later police reports described both as having apparent gunshot wounds.
Officers then withdrew from the house because the vehicle associated with the unwanted guest remained outside but Pascu had not been located, according to police. The Southwest Enforcement Bureau tactical unit was called to assist officers at the scene and later searched the residence.
During that search, officers found Pascu dead in a lower-level room of the house. Police said his injury appeared to be self-inflicted and that a firearm was found nearby. Authorities had not announced a final ruling from the medical examiner on the cause and manner of all three deaths as the investigation continued.
Investigators remained at the Tiffany Drive property into Wednesday. News footage from the scene showed damage to the front of the residence, including broken windows and a damaged front door. Authorities have not publicly detailed how that damage occurred, and police have not released a confirmed sequence explaining what happened inside the home before officers arrived.
North Royalton police said the scene was secured and there was no continuing threat to the public. The department’s Detective Bureau is investigating the deaths with assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Authorities have not announced a motive or released findings establishing the full circumstances that led to the shootings.
The investigation remained active Wednesday, with police and the medical examiner working to determine the circumstances and official manner of the deaths. No additional people were reported injured, and authorities had not announced any further suspects in the case.
Author note: Last updated November 12, 2026.