Eviction Preceded Murder/Suicide

"MARYSVILLE, CA - A Paradise man apparently shot his wife, then himself in a Marysville motel room, preliminary autopsy results Thursday indicated, according to police.

"The bodies were found Wednesday afternoon in a room at the Budget Inn, 230 E St..

"Marysville police Sgt. John Osbourn said Thursday he could not confirm the couple's names as reported to the Appeal-Democrat by an unofficial source. Police were still looking for relatives to notify, he said.

"The man was 63 years old and the woman 57, according to information obtained by the newspaper.

"Deputy Police Chief Mike Wilson said officers had to break a window to enter the room because the door was double-locked. The couple had checked in late Tuesday and failed to leave by the 11 a.m. checkout time.

"`A large caliber handgun was located in the motel room, along with evidence that the firearm had been discharged inside the room,` Osbourn said. `Investigators have significant evidence to believe that the male shot the female, and then shot himself.`

"A motel clerk said Thursday no one reported hearing gunshots from the room.

"The couple lived at the Elliott Gardens apartments in Paradise. Managers Paul and Timmie Waln said the husband worked as a gunsmith in San Francisco and once had his own business in Paradise.

"Because of financial problems, the couple were late on their rent and were in the process of being evicted, Timmie Waln said.

"The wife `was a real nice lady. I felt sorry for her,` Waln said."

Source: appeal-democrat.com...