Pending Divorce Settlement Cancelled

"Simpsonville, SC - A Greenville County Coroner identified the husband and wife who were both found shot to death in Simpsonville this morning and have classified the deaths as a murder-suicide.

"Beverly Ann Thompson, 58, 201 State 14, Simpsonville was found unresponsive when Greenville County Sheriff’s deputies arrived after a call at about 8 a.m., said Dep. Coroner Mike Ellis.

"She died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest and was found lying in the driveway of her home near her car, Ellis said. He estimated her time of death to be 7:50 a.m. and said it was classified a homicide.

"When deputies arrived on scene they found the body of Ralph Thompson, 66, 108 Tracy Lane, Simpsonville in an empty field across from the residence, Ellis said. Thompson had died from a single gunshot wound to the head and his death was being treated as a suicide, Ellis said.

"Ellis said the husband and wife were going through a pending divorce settlement and had one daughter together.

"Sheriff’s Lt. Shea Smith said the sheriff’s office had responded to the incident location before `concerning disagreements,` though he didn’t know how many times the sheriff’s office had been called to the residence.

"The incident was still under investigation and would be treated as a homicide investigation, he said.

"Authorities are still trying to piece together what led up to the deaths and planned to interview family today, Smith said.

"`We still don’t know exactly why it happened,` Smith said."

From GreenvilleOnline.com...