Authorities in Virginia say an unidentified woman killed her three children and then herself in an apparent murder-suicide.

On the morning of Nov. 20, Smyth County deputies responded to a Marion home regarding a reported homicide, according to a sheriff's office news release.

Upon their arrival, deputies found the bodies of a 27-year-old woman and two children, ages 3 and 10. One child, a 6-year-old, was in critical condition and transported to Johnson City Medical Center, where they later succumbed to their injuries.

A fourth child, aged 8, escaped the scene and survived.

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The preliminary investigation shows the woman committed killed her children before dying by suicide herself.

The bodies have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies.

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