Police: Couple, boy die in murder-suicide

updated 3:08 p.m. ET May 6, 2009

ORANGE, Calif. - An electrical contractor who was having financial problems shot to death his live-in girlfriend and 3 1/2-year-old son before killing himself, police said Wednesday.

Officers called to an apartment Tuesday afternoon found the bodies of Craig Rubin, 44, and Mary Striley, 42, on beds in separate bedrooms while the body of their son, Jake, was in a high chair in the kitchen, Sgt. Dan Adams said.

Each had been shot once in the head.

Police were called by the apartment manager, who had not seen the family in several days. The manager said the couple had not moved their cars or answered their phone for days, police said.

Adams said Rubin left a suicide note in which he took responsibility for killing his family.

The motive for the killings was under investigation, but Rubin had financial problems and both his girlfriend and son had health problems, Adams said. He had no details about those problems.

A work van labeled Rubin Electric was parked outside the apartment.

Rubin and Striley had lived together for four or five years, Adams said.

Orange is in central Orange County about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

More from msnbc.com RedTape: DirecTV thrives on ‘deception,’ lawsuit says Doctor's mission to save Ethiopian kids' hearts Bad Santa: Gifts that say you’re old, fat or hairy  What hit Italian prime minister? Take our weekly quiz Send your holiday pictures to troops Send us your memories and images of the past decade

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Prisons could see first decline since 1972 Facing prison, Astor's son bares private life Friend defends husband of missing woman   After gripes, city’s police to wear cameras Utah police find 2 adults, 2 kids slain at home Federal judge could face impeachment Man guilty of in-home indecent exposure Legal fees mount in Madoff liquidation Search to resume for Vt. woman shot, burned Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: