Neighbors "Thought They Had Worked Things Out"

"MILLTOWN, DE - A husband and wife died Wednesday evening in what New Castle County police are investigating as an apparent murder-suicide.

"Cpl. Trinidad Navarro said police were called to a home in the 2700 block of Charles Place, in the Southview subdivision near Delcastle Park, shortly after 6 p.m., after the husband's brother called police saying he couldn't get in touch with the couple and wanted officers to check on their welfare.

"`When we got there, we found a female deceased inside of the home,` Navarro said.

"The woman, whose name is not being released pending notification of family, was 55. Police found her husband, also 55, inside another room in the home. Navarro said the man was severely injured but was able to speak. Navarro would not say what the man said.

"The husband was taken to Christiana Hospital, where he died of his injuries shortly after 7 p.m., Navarro said.

"Neighbor Noreen DeMatteis said she and her husband had been friends with the couple, who she said had two daughters and a son.

"`We knew they were having problems, but we thought they had worked things out,` she said.

"`We saw them together around Christmastime putting up the Christmas decorations,` her husband, John, added. `He was outside last week shoveling snow.`

"The DeMatteises said the husband owned his own stone masonry company and did stonework in front of their home and inside. The wife worked as a nurse, the DeMatteises said."

Source: Delaware Online...