An off-duty Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department sergeant and his wife were identified as the persons killed in what’s believed to be a murder-suicide case in Hughson.

The dead were identified as Daniel Hutsell, 40, and his wife, Dinella Hutsell, 37.

A young girl in the home called 9-1-1 at 9:28 a.m. on Sunday morning to report that both her father and mother were dead inside their home at 1705 Fontana Ranch Road in Hughson.

Deputies removed the two children from the house and found the bodies.

Deputy Hutsell joined the department in 2011.

The involved departments refused to release any details, stating that the investigation is ongoing.

Modesto Police issued this statement upon releasing the Hutsell’s names: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this tragedy.”

Hutsell’s career included his time as a detective and member of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s SWAT team. He was one of the members who shot and killed Stephen Murray, 52, of Modesto, in a west Modesto incident on July 17, 2019. Murray was believed to be holding a gun on a woman during a false imprisonment incident but it was later determined to be only a replica. The District Attorney’s office investigated and determined all four detectives who shot Murray were justified.

Dinella Hutsell, who also went by Danee and her maiden name Madrigal, was mourned by the Hughson and surrounding communities on Tuesday night at a Candlelight vigil held at Lebright Elementary School.

She was described by friends and coworkers as a dedicated and passionate supporter of local charities and youth programs.

“She was always willing to help. She was one of the most selfless people I knew, not just with her time, her smarts and resources. She was willing to go the extra mile with you. She was willing to stand next to you. If you didn’t have a voice, she would be that voice for you. She helped carry your burden. She truly was the definition of a friend meant and what it meant to be part of the community,” said Jenny Wells.

“I’m so grateful that Danee belonged to us, that she belonged to Hughson…but her wings expanded much larger than this community. She touched so many cities and communities around us. We could not just keep her to ourselves. The impact that she had on so many other communities and organizations is just baffling.”

Danee was also remembered fondly on Tuesday night by Dusty Azevedo from Cumulus Media’s KAT Country radio station, who hired her when she was just 18 years old and continued to work with her for almost two decades.

“She was kind of the same person at 18 as she was at 37…She was the most energetic person we’ve ever seen, the happiest, maybe the most opinionated,” said Azevedo. “She made everything better and that’s the kind of person you want around your organization.”

Danee’s brother, Joel Madrigal, was overwhelmed by the hundreds of community members who showed up to remember his sister on Tuesday night.

“I appreciate everybody,” he said.

— Journal editor Kristina Hacker contributed to this report.