Volunteer Firefighter Discovers Murder/Suicide

"ST CLAIR COUNTY, AL - Authorities in St. Clair County are investigating what appears to be a murder-suicide in the Pinedale community.

"A man and a woman were found dead today at an upscale home and horse farm where high-dollar dogs also were bred, said St. Clair County Coroner Dennis Russell.

"They have not identified the bodies, but believe the couple to be the 61-year-old man and 53-year-old woman who lived there.

"A volunteer firefighter was passing by the home just before 7:30 a.m. when he spotted the fire and stopped to help, said St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles. When the firefighter got out of his vehicle to look around, he saw a man walk into the barn and moments later heard a gunshot.

"Sheriff's deputies and firefighters found the body of the woman inside the home, which was destroyed by the blaze.

"Surles said investigators are interviewing family members to try to put together a picture of what led to the crime.

"`I believe that's going to help us a lot,` Surles said, who was not immediately aware of any ongoing family problems. `We absolutely see no sign of that, but you never know what goes on behind closed doors.`"

From al.com...