Four members of one family, including a Canadian Forces veteran who suffered from mental health issues, were found dead in a home in rural Nova Scotia Tuesday, in an apparent murder-suicide.

RCMP found the bodies after responding to a call at a residence in Upper Big Tracadie around 6 p.m. on Tuesday. 麻豆影视 has confirmed that all four of the dead were related, and one of them, 33-year-old Lionel Desmond, was a Canadian Forces veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after he served in Afghanistan.

The other individuals found dead are Lionel鈥檚 Desmond鈥檚 wife Shanna Desmond, 31, their daughter Aaliyah, 10, and Lionel鈥檚 mother Brenda Desmond, 52.

RCMP also said that 鈥渋nitial observations鈥� indicate that all of them died of apparent gunshot wounds.

RCMP also said the male鈥檚 gunshot wounds appeared to be self-inflicted and that two firearms were located during a search. Autopsies will be conducted to confirm cause of death.

There were no signs of forced entry into the residence, RCMP said. They are not looking for suspects.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Department of National Defence said that Cpl. Lionel Desmond was an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. He enrolled in 2004 and was deployed to Afghanistan from January 2007 to August 2007.

He was posted to the Joint Personal Support Unit in June 2014 until his release in July 2015. 鈥淭he JPSU supports members by providing access to available benefits, programs, and family services, thus allowing ill and injured CAF members and their families to focus on recovery,鈥� the statement said.

Citing privacy considerations, DND added it would not 鈥渄iscuss medical matters of individual members.鈥�

Trevor Bungay was Desmond鈥檚 team leader in Afghanistan.

鈥淚f there was something that needed to be done, he was the first one to go do it,鈥� Bungay told CTV Atlantic. 鈥淎nd I鈥檇 explain him, simply by saying, 鈥業f you really wanted a hole dug to China, Dessy would be the guy that you鈥檇 ask.鈥欌��

鈥淗e called me this summer, looking to sell his house and move back to Nova Scotia,鈥� Bungay added. The two spoke, Bungay said, after Desmond received unspecified treatment upon returning to Canada. 鈥淲hen he came home, he said he was fine.鈥�

Shanna鈥檚 aunt, Catharine Hartling, told the Canadian Press that Lionel Desmond was trained as a sniper and was diagnosed with PTSD after he returned from service overseas.

"He was bad then. They tried to get him help,鈥� Hartling said. 鈥淭hey sent him up to Montreal, and they sent him back and put him on medication."

Another relative said that Lionel Desmond recently attempted to check into a mental health unit in Antigonish but was turned away because there wasn鈥檛 enough space.

"Lionel loved his mother, his family, and he was a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder and the memories he didn't want to have," said Rev. Elaine Walcott. "He was troubled."

Hartling agreed that Desmond didn鈥檛 get the help he needed.

鈥淥ur government and our health system is failing our men,鈥� Hartline said. "It's hard when you send someone home to live in a community after what they've seen and been through .... It has to stop. I hope they do an inquiry into this.鈥�

Family members said Aaliyah turned 10 years old just a few days after Christmas. The little girl enjoyed horseback riding and aspired to be a veterinarian when she grew up. Hartling said she has just returned to school, where she is in Grade 5, on Tuesday.

Counselling services have been set up at Aaliyah鈥檚 school for students struggling to cope with the sudden loss.

"There is a huge sense of loss in our community," said Deanna Gillis, a spokeswoman for the Strait Regional School Board. "We're deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss."

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Insp. Lynn Young said police attended the scene after 鈥渢wo individuals鈥� went to the residence, found the deceased and called 911 immediately.

Young said the investigation is ongoing, and that support is being provided for investigators.

鈥淭his is incredibly tragic for everyone involved,鈥� she said. 鈥淩esources are available and support is being provided for all first responders and anyone involved in the investigation.鈥�

She also extended her condolences to the families and the Upper Big Tracadie community.

鈥淚 know the loss of these lives will deeply impact all of you,鈥� she said.

Deputy warden Sheila Pelly of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough told The Canadian Press that the deaths have stunned the community. She added she knew the dead.

"Everybody's in shock," she said. "They can't believe it."

Upper Big Tracadie is located approximately 200 kilometres northeast of Halifax.

With files from CTV Atlantic and The Canadian Press

CTV Atlantic reporter Kyle Moore is at the scene of the investigation, you can .