WAKEFIELD, N.H. — On Christmas Day, a tragic incident unfolded at a New Hampshire lake house, resulting in the deaths of a family of four from Massachusetts due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a malfunctioning propane heating system. Authorities reported the grim discovery on Friday, noting that Matthew Goldstein, 52, an elementary school teacher, and his wife Lyla, 54, a Microsoft project manager, along with their daughters, Valerie, 22, an educator, and Violet, 19, a college student, lost their lives while visiting during the holiday season.
The family resided in Newton, Massachusetts, and traveled to New Hampshire for a festive gathering. Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the carbon monoxide leak from the propane heating system. Fire Marshal Sean Toomey indicated that there were no carbon monoxide alarms inside the home, emphasizing the importance of having functioning alarms to prevent such tragedies.
“This has been a profoundly tragic year for both fire-related and carbon monoxide fatalities,” said Toomey. “The loss of an entire family during such a cherished time of year resonates deeply.” According to the CDC, carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas that poses significant risks, leading to over 400 unintentional fatalities each year in the U.S. that are not fire-related, with an additional 14,000 hospitalizations.
Local police responded to the residence around 4:20 p.m. on Christmas Day after family members had not seen the Goldsteins as expected. Concerned relatives reached out to them multiple times, and when they received no response, they contacted the authorities for a welfare check.
Upon entry, police discovered Matthew, Lyla, and Valerie in various bedrooms, while Violet was found in a bathroom. It is suspected that they succumbed to the effects of carbon monoxide during the night. Fire crews discovered dangerously high carbon monoxide levels in the residence, and authorities believe the incident was accidental.
An autopsy performed by New Hampshire’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Matthew Goldstein died from carbon monoxide poisoning, while the autopsies for the other victims are still pending. Carrying a commitment to education, Matthew served as an eighth-grade teacher at the Edith C. Baker School, earning respect in the Chestnut Hill and South Brookline communities. In a statement, Brookline Public Schools Superintendent Linus Guillory praised Goldstein for his dedication to fostering young minds and offered condolences to all impacted by this loss.
Lyla Goldstein’s experience included over 16 years at Microsoft, where she had taken on significant responsibilities as a principal project manager in data and artificial intelligence projects. Valerie, having recently graduated from Syracuse University, was teaching fifth grade in North Carolina as part of a Teach for America program, with aspirations to advocate for educational policy changes. Violet was pursuing her education as a freshman at the Rhode Island School of Design, where her loss was felt by the community, as noted by the school president, who expressed sorrow during what should have been a joyful season.
Tax records show that the Goldsteins owned the lake house, which featured modern upgrades and a heated pool, recently renovated for efficiency. On that Christmas Day, Wakefield experienced frigid temperatures around 13 degrees Fahrenheit (-11 degrees Celsius). Fire Marshal Toomey stated that the heating system likely malfunctioned, leading to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide, and reminded residents of the importance of routine maintenance on heating systems and ensuring that ventilation paths are clear of debris like snow or ice during winter months.
