House Fire Followed Murder/Suicide

"LIBBY, MT - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office reports that a Saturday morning house fire in which two people died was a case of murder-suicide.

"Lincoln County Coroner Steve Schnackenberg says the victims, Ted and Swanie Hardgrove, were married and both were 81 years old.

"Lincoln County Sheriff's Captain Roby Bowe says that Ted Hardgrove shot wife, started the fire at 4785 Bobtail Road and then shot himself.

"Bowe says a letter that was found written by Ted Hardgrove indicated the shooting to be a mercy killing, as his wife Swanie suffered from cerebral palsy and was in a great deal of pain.

"Captain Bowe told us that the Sheriffs Office doesn't suspect anyone else has a hand in the fire or the shootings."

From KPAX.com...