Police found a married couple and their former son-in-law dead inside a Tiffany Drive home after a tactical response Tuesday night.
NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — Three people were found dead at a North Royalton home Tuesday night after a woman called police because her former husband was at her parents’ property and she could not reach them, authorities said.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified the couple as Emilia Ciortan, 71, and Sorin Ciortan, 71. Their former son-in-law, Stefan Pascu, 71, also was found dead inside the home. North Royalton police said Emilia and Sorin Ciortan had apparent gunshot wounds, while Pascu appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not announced a motive.
Police said the couple’s daughter called shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday after seeing Pascu’s vehicle outside her parents’ home in the 8900 block of Tiffany Drive. She told officers that Pascu was not welcome at the residence and that she had been unable to contact her parents. Officers responding to the call also were unable to make contact with the homeowners before entering the residence.
Inside, officers found Emilia Ciortan dead in the dining room and Sorin Ciortan dead in an upstairs hallway, police said. Both had apparent gunshot wounds to the head. Officers then withdrew from the house because Pascu’s vehicle remained outside and they had not located him, raising concern that he could still be somewhere inside the property.
The Southwest Enforcement Bureau tactical unit was called to the scene. Tactical officers later entered the home and found Pascu dead in a lower-level room, according to police. Investigators said he had an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and that a firearm was found nearby. Authorities secured the property and said there was no continuing threat to the public.
The response brought a heavy police presence to the residential neighborhood Tuesday night and continued into early Wednesday as investigators processed the scene. News crews at the property reported visible damage to the home, including broken windows and damage near the front entrance. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation joined North Royalton police in examining the scene and assisting with the case.
Authorities initially described the call as a report of an unwanted guest and released few details while tactical officers were working at the home. The identities of the three people were confirmed later through the medical examiner. Police have since said Pascu was the couple’s former son-in-law and lived in Parma.
Police said there were no protection orders in place involving Pascu at the time of the deaths. The couple’s daughter told officers that she and Pascu had been divorced for about 10 years and that he had recently returned to the United States from Romania. Authorities have not publicly explained what brought Pascu to the Tiffany Drive home Tuesday or what happened before police were called.
North Royalton police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation continue to investigate the deaths. Officials have not released a final determination on the circumstances surrounding each death, and no motive had been announced as of Thursday.
Author note: Last updated November 12, 2026.