SHIJIAZHUANG -- A man in North China's Hebei province killed himself on Monday afternoon after murdering seven members of his family, including his wife and children, according to local police.

The tragedy happened in Xiaonangou Village of Chengde County three days ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, an occasion for family reunions in China.

Police officers found seven bodies at the home of the man, Wu Shouguo, including that of Wu, and another body in a factory about 100 meters away, along with a suicide note left by Wu, said a spokesman with Chengde's public security bureau on Tuesday.

Police believe Wu battered to death his wife, his wife's parents, two children and two distant relatives with a blunt object after a family dispute and then took poison.

They are continuing to investigate the case.