5 Children, Mother Slain in Fla. Apt.

Last Updated 4:10 p.m. ET

Five young children and their mother were found dead in a Florida apartment, and authorities were searching Sunday for the woman's husband, who had left the country.

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk called the homicides "the worst of the worst."

Sheriff's officials said they want to talk to the woman's husband, Mesac Damas, who is a person of interest. He's described as just over six feet tall, 230 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes.

During a morning news conference Rambosk said Damas, 33, boarded a flight to Haiti from Miami International Airport on Friday.

Collier County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Michelle Batten said Damas has family from Haiti.

Haitian police spokesman Frantz Lerebours could not immediately be reached for comment. A message was also left with the FBI.

The victims were identified as Guerline Damas, 32, and her children: Michzach, 9; Marven, 6; Maven, 5; Megan, 3; and 11-month-old Morgan.

Batten would not say how they died.

Family members contacted authorities Thursday saying they had not heard from the mother. A missing person report was filed the next day, and on Saturday, the sheriff's office entered the home in a gated community in Naples and found the bodies, Batten said.

Damas left Miller's Ale House in Naples, where he worked as a cook, Thursday night. He arrived at the Miami airport Friday morning and boarded a flight to Haiti, the sheriff's office said.

According to CBS affiliate WINK Sheriff Rambosk called the killings a crime of passion.

"We don't see any indication that would lead us to believe the residents of Collier County should be abnormally concerned," he said.

WINK reported Saturday night that Damas' black GMC Yukon Denali was found at the airport. It has been secured by investigators who are checking it for evidence.

The man's father, Jean Damas Sr., told the Naples Daily News that his son had called his brother from Haiti. Damas Sr. also said his son and his wife have had domestic problems. A phone message left Sunday by the Associated Press for Damas Sr. was not immediately returned.

Collier County court records show Mesac Damas has prior charges for domestic violence against his wife. A 2005 charge was dismissed after a hearing.