Police alert: 5 adults, 9 children plan mass suicide

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PALMDALE, Calif. — Officials in Southern California on Saturday evening issued an emergency alert for five adults and nine children believed to be planning a mass suicide, BNO News reported.

The group was believed to be traveling in two vehicles, a Nissan Quest and a Mercury Villager, the California Highway Patrol said.

However, the members may have changed vehicles after disappearing, the CHP told msnbc.com.

BNO reported a late model Toyota Tundra was involved, too.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to KNBC, Channel 4, news late Saturday that its detectives were actively investigating the case.

The missing group was last seen around 1 a.m. PDT on Saturday at a prayer meeting at a Palmdale, Calif., church, according to the CHP. They left in three vehicles with an unknown destination.

Numerous letters were later found that essentially state the group was going to heaven shortly to meet Jesus and their deceased relatives.

"It is believed, through further investigation, that the missing persons' intentions are to commit mass suicide," the CHP said.

Two husbands of two of the church members reported the persons missing at around 2 p.m. PDT, BNO News said.

"They were in possession of a bag that contained identification of all the missing persons, currency, possessions, and numerous letters," CHP said.