Custody Dispute May Have Triggered Murder/Suicide

"ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Police are investigating a possible murder/suicide in Howard County after a man and a woman are found dead.

"A child made the gruesome discovery just blocks off of Main Street in Ellicott City.

"Gigi Barnett reports the two people found dead were involved in a custody battle days before they were both killed.

"The man and woman were found dead inside the house at 3762 Bonnybridge Place early Saturday night. Also living in that house, a 7, 5 and 2-year-old, who neighbors say were outside playing at the time.

"`My son came home saying to my husband the kids heard two gunshots, some kids coming out of that house crying, saying the mommy and the daddy are killed,` said Alexandra Petrusan.

"The victims are identified as Clare Stoudt, 35, who court records show lived a short drive away on Montgomery Road. The man is Reginald Graves, 49, who, according to court records, lived in the house. The two were involved in a custody battle.

"Court records show Stoudt filed a suit against Graves in Howard County Circuit Court, just four days earlier. Police are now investigating this case as a possible murder-suicide."

From WJZ.com...