Death At An Untroubled Address

"ALTOONA, IA - Altoona police and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are looking into the deaths of Mark and Laura Wharff as a possible case of murder-suicide.

"Altoona officers were dispatched to 607 Fourth St. N.W. about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to check on the welfare of Laura Wharff, 51, after she failed to report for work.

"When officers arrived they found the body of Mark Wharff, 51, and shortly thereafter the body of his wife. There was no indication of forced entry into the house and no signs of a struggle, police said. Both appeared to have died of shotgun wounds.

"Laura Wharff was employed by Iowa Health Systems as a clinic manager. Officers said Mark Wharff was not employed due to a health condition.

"Police said the house on Fourth Street Northwest was not considered a troubled address. No reports of domestic problems had been filed with police."

Source: DesMoinesRegister.com...