The bodies of a 46-year-old man and his two minor children were discovered in a family home in Sveti Križ Začretje. The State Attorney's Office and police conducted an investigation, an autopsy has been ordered, and unofficial reports mention gunshots and a fire.
Residents of Sveti Križ Začretje were shaken on Saturday by a family tragedy, with increasingly dark details emerging day by day. Following a report of a fire in a family home, emergency services found the lifeless bodies of a 46-year-old father, his 17-year-old son, and his 14-year-old daughter. Although there is no official confirmation yet, unofficial information points to the possibility of a double murder and suicide.
The on-duty deputy county state attorney in Zagreb led the investigation on August 1, 2026. The scene examination was conducted in cooperation with the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, expert services of the Krapina-Zagorje Police Department, and an inspector for fire and explosion protection.
As announced by the State Attorney's Office, the bodies were found on the upper floor of the house, and the investigation determined that the fire was set in several rooms. The fire significantly damaged the interior of the building, complicating the reconstruction of the event itself. The bodies were transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Criminology in Zagreb, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
"The on-duty deputy county state attorney in Zagreb led the investigation on August 1, 2026, in Sveti Križ Začretje, in cooperation with the Crime Scene Investigation Unit and expert services of the Krapina-Zagorje Police Department and the inspector for fire and explosion protection, following a report of a fire and the discovery of the dead bodies of one adult male (born 1979) and two children (born 2009 and 2011)," the State Attorney's Office stated.
Although investigators have not yet confirmed that death resulted from firearms, unofficial sources bring disturbing claims. Neighbors told local news outlets that they heard three gunshots just before the fire broke out. According to the same information, the bodies show signs of fire, further complicating the determination of the cause of death.
It is also unofficially learned that the children's mother had not been living in the house recently, but with her own family. The couple was reportedly separating, but custody of the children had been arranged, and nothing pointed to such a tragic outcome. Journalist Ana Raić Knežević reports for Index.hr suspicions that the father first killed the children and then himself.
Minister of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Alen Ružić confirmed for HTV that the family had not previously been registered in the social care system. "I must express deep regret and readiness to provide assistance to the mother and other immediate family members. We stand at their disposal; our intervention teams, as always, offer help, from material to psychosocial support," Minister Ružić stated.
The municipality of Sveti Križ Začretje has also announced the declaration of a day of mourning. "This is a tragedy for the entire town. After the official investigation, we expect official information so that we can declare a day of mourning. This is a tragedy that has devastated us," said Mayor Marko Kos.
The County State Attorney's Office in Zagreb, in cooperation with the police, continues with further measures and actions to establish all relevant facts and circumstances of this event. The State Attorney's Office stated that they cannot provide any other information or notices at this time. The results of the autopsy, which should shed light on the exact cause of death, are expected no later than the following day.
