Investigators: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Killed Father and Daughter

RICKE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. - "Last night it was just like, 'Oh no, what happened?'" said Rice Lake Township resident John Finkle. It was inside a trailer on the 4700 block of 5th Avenue South in Rice Lake Township where responders found 39-year-old Michael Mechley and 11-year-old Charlene Mechley deceased."My heart just totally goes out to the family,” said Theresa Koeing, who lives on the same street as the Mechley's. “It's a horrible tragedy and I'm very, very sad." The cause of death for the father and daughter has yet to be confirmed, but investigators believe it was carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator outside the camper."It just breaks my heart this is so sad," said Finkle. Rice Lake Township Firefighters used a five gas meter to sample the air inside the trailer. Those tests confirmed extremely high levels of CO."Anytime that CO is present it's relation to incomplete burning or incomplete combustion of a gas type of engine or furnace,” said Mark Niemi, assistant fire chief with the Rice Lake Township Fire Department.Also inside the camper that night were Michael's two other children, 15-year-old Karley and 14-year-old Noah Mechley. They both survived, but remain in critical condition."I'd see the kids biking to the bus stop. Just a sweet family," said Finkle."I would see them walk up and down the road, so it's really sad," said Koeing. Those small glimpses are all neighbors knew about the family of four who they believe appeared to be facing hard times."Just got the feeling that something wasn't quite right, the generator was running all the time," said Finkle. "It's hard to see your neighbors that are struggling like that." Friends and family members declined an on-camera interview, but they released statements to FOX 21. “I can't imagine what my life is going to be like without them,” wrote the children's aunt, Crystal Lund. “Mike was always good for a laugh when you need it and a helping hand if he could. Charlene, a beautiful smart little girl with so much strength and beauty inside and out. She lit up a room with her smile.” The family’s cousin, Natasha Garner, released this statement: “He was a loving and dedicated father, he would have done anything for his children. He did the best with what he was given to provide for his children and they loved him dearly.” "I'm still thinking about it, still processing it," said Koeing."I guess it's just about getting to know your neighbors, I mean, they're just right across the way from me," said Finkle. “I wish I would have gotten a chance just to say hello, knocked on the door." Police say the official cause of death is still under investigation. The two surviving children were first taken to Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Officials tell FOX 21 they were recently brought to Hennepin County Medical Center in the Twin Cities and are in critical condition.