Firemen Discover Murder/Suicide, Wounded Horse

"SPENCER, MA — An apparent murder-suicide is under investigation today at the scene of an early morning house fire at 19 Woodchuck Lane, which records show was in foreclosure.

"Michael S. Khoury, 69, and his wife, Joyce M. Khoury, 66, the owners of the house, were found dead inside.

"Mr. Khoury was found with a gunshot wound in the doorway of his home shortly after 6:15 a.m., according to Timothy J. Connolly, spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. Mr. Khoury was taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

"Mrs. Khoury was found dead in a bedroom. She also suffered a gunshot wound.

"Police were alerted to the fire by a 911 call from a neighbor.

"When police arrived they found a truck on fire in the driveway and the house ablaze.

"A horse, suffering from several gunshot wounds, was discovered in a barn on the property. The horse was taken to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton. There was no word on the horse's condition, the spokesman said.

"The Spencer Fire Department was assisted by Leicester and Paxton Fire departments in bringing the fire under control.

"The shootings and fire remain under investigation by the state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, state fire marshal's office and the Spencer Police and Fire departments."

Source: telegram.com...

UPDATE: Horse survives!

UPDATE 2: Picaro the horse undergoes further surgery...

UPDATE 3: Picaro doing "very well"...

UPDATE 4: Picaro has a new home!