Defense Contractor and Family Found Dead The family of a defense contractor in northern Virginia have been found dead in their home, police said today. The bodies of Kathie Peterson, who worked for defense contracting firm Blackbird Technologies, her husband, Albert, and their two children were found police Tuesday. Her husband Albert Peterson worked for Northrop Grumman until he resigned in 2009. Police were asked to do a welfare check on the family when one of the adults had not shown up to work in two days, according to a statement by the Fairfax County police department. Authorities are investigating the deaths as suspicious, though they have said they don't believe there is any threat to the surrounding community. The couple had one son in high school and one son in middle school. Neighbor Jeremy Wilcox told local news radio station WTOP that the family had attended a community picnic together on Sunday and "showed no signs of any problem." Another neighbor, Alvaro Lopes, told local news station WNEW that Albert Peterson had tried to commit suicide in the past, and that he had been taking new heart attack medication that seemed to affect his personality. "He seemed dizzy, just different," Lopes said. Hearing about what happened today made me think that could have something to do with it. Police would not comment on any possible connection between the deaths and Peterson's medication. "They were good people," said Lopes. Neighbor Jim Steele told ABC News station WJLA that the Peterson were a nice family in the neighborhood. "This is a horrible tragedy," Steele said. They seemed like a very nice family. Didn't see anything amiss around the house. It's quite a shock. Blackbird Technologies released a statement confirming that Kathie worked for the company and expressing their shock. The company works with the federal government on intelligence and defense issues, according to The Washington Post. "Kathie Peterson worked as an integral and well respected member of Blackbird Technologies' Procurement Team," read a statement by the company. She will be remembered as a high energy, devoted parent who always had a smile to share. She often told stories about her sons, their sports and community activities. She is already missed. We have lost a member of our Blackbird family. We are still trying to absorb the shock of this tragedy. Police have not yet released details about how the family died. The bodies of the family members are expected to be investigated by the medical examiner today.