Retired Iowa Couple Found Dead

"HALBUR, IA - The deaths of a retired Halbur couple are being treated as a murder-suicide.

"The Carroll County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the home of Paul and Darlene Bruch, 23912 Ivy Ave., about 7 Wednesday morning.

"Sheriff Doug Bass said a family member had found the couple dead of apparent gunshot wounds.

"It's not known when the shootings at the acreage about one mile east of Halbur occurred. Bass said it appears Paul Bruch, 75, a retired farmer, shot his wife Darlene, 72, then turned the gun on himself.

"Authorities haven't disclosed any reason for the killings. The case remains under investigation.

"Autopsies are being performed by the State Medical Examiner's Office. Bass said he was expecting results to come Friday.

"The Carroll County Medical Examiner's Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are assisting in the investigation.

"Bass, a five-term sheriff, said he couldn't recall another murder-suicide during his 37 years with the Sheriff's Office.

"`This is a difficult case, very hard on the family,` he said."

Source: Daily Times Herald...