KENDALL, N.Y. — An Orleans County mother and son are dead after a reported gas leak in their Kendall home. 

Firefighters found the bodies of 38-year-old Joan Gilman and her 14-year-old son Richard Gilman Jr. in the upstairs bedroom of a duplex on Center Road just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 

Sheriff's deputies say electricty to the duplex was turned off a few days ago, and a portable generator was being used, along with propane powered appliances. 

The victims were taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office to figure out their exact cause of death. 

Kendall Central School District Superintendent Julie Christensen confirmed that Richard, known as RJ, was a ninth grader at Kendall Senior High School. She released a statement saying in part:

"It is with great sadness that I share the news of the sudden death of one of our students, Richard (RJ) Gilman Jr., and his mother, Joan. RJ was a ninth grade student at Kendall Junior/Senior High School (JSHS). He displayed an infectious sense of humor and an endearing personality.

Each one of us copes with loss and grief differently. Please know that Trauma and Grief Counselors are available at the JSHS today and tomorrow for students and staff from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The Kendall community can access counseling support at the Kendall Town Hall on April 19 from noon-3:30 pm and April 20 from 10 am-2 pm. If you need support after these hours, please contact Orleans County Mental Health Care and Crisis Hotline at 585-344-4400. Information on strategies to cope with loss is posted on our website under Parent Resources."

At this time, information is not available on funeral arrangements.

Check back with Spectrum News as we will continue to update this developing story.