ROCKFORD — Authorities say two children and a man were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide southeast of Rockford.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department officials say deputies responded Saturday morning to a home in the 4600 block of Chandon Woods Drive, near Linden and Perryville Roads, to conduct a welfare check. They found the two children who appeared to have been shot in separate bedrooms.

The man was found in a third bedroom and also appeared to have died from a gunshot wound.

Their identities weren’t immediately released. The sheriff’s office says the man was related to the children.

The sheriff’s office says it’s investigating.

–Associated Press; With Staff reports