Father 'strangled children and set house on fire before hanging himself' say police in Illinois

Eric Ringenberg hid his family's phones before setting the house on fire. (Facebook)

Authorities in Bloomington, Illinois, say a 33-year-old man hid his family's cellphones, killed his two children and intentionally set a house fire before hanging himself.

Police on Wednesday identified the man as Eric Ringenberg. Officials identified the two boys only by their initials, 2-year-old CR and infant brother, RR.

The Pantagraph in Bloomington reports the mother, 32-year-old Pamela Ringenberg, was hospitalized for smoke inhalation after Tuesday morning's fire. Autopsies showed the children were strangled.

Police say home surveillance cameras show Eric Ringenberg putting the cellphones in a kitchen cabinet, then intentionally starting a fire in the basement after the children were killed.

The father then hanged himself.

The cameras also show Pamela Ringenberg awaking to the sound of the smoke alarm and searching for her family and cellphone. She eventually fled the home and sought help from neighbours.

Associated Press