Botched Suicide Pact Follows Murder

"MIDWEST CITY, OK — A man arrested Wednesday in the death of a Midwest City woman made a suicide pact with his girlfriend after slaying Violet Hemphill, 64, police said Wednesday.

"Hemphill died from multiple sharp force injuries to the head and chest, the state medical examiner said Wednesday. Her death was ruled a homicide.

"Phillip Michael Potts, 23, was arrested on a murder complaint after being released from the hospital Tuesday, according to a new release from Midwest City police. He is Hemphill's nephew.

"Potts and his 22-year-old girlfriend had been staying with his aunt for several days before the killing, according to police.

"The two were found unconscious at Hemphill's home in the 1000 block of Holly Lane about 5:30 p.m. Monday after a relative went to the home to make a welfare check and noticed a strong odor of natural gas.

"Police broke down the door and made a bizarre discovery: Hemphill dead in one bedroom and Potts and his girlfriend nude and unconscious in another."

From NEWSOK.com...