Military and Veterans Affairs

Marion County Sheriff’s deputies conducting a welfare check late Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, found Coast Guard veteran Yohan Sanchez, 33, his wife Rebeca Santos, 37, 15‑year‑old stepson Michael Melendez and 2‑year‑old son Samuel Sanchez dead inside their home on Banyan Track Way in Marion County, Florida. Investigators say there are no signs of foul play and suspect the family died from carbon monoxide exposure, with the official cause of death pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office. Sanchez’s mother and brother told Fox 35 Orlando they had spoken with him the night before and that the family had moved from Massachusetts to Florida about a year ago, describing him as devoted to his family, faith and public service. The Coast Guard is covering funeral costs for Sanchez as a veteran, but not for his wife or children, leaving relatives to arrange and finance services for the rest of the family. The case underscores the lethal risk posed by undetected carbon monoxide in homes and raises renewed questions about prevention measures and support systems for military families coping with sudden tragedy.