Officer Discovers Gruesome Scene

"STAMFORD, CT — A woman killed her mother and herself with a double-barrelled shotgun in a Long Ridge Road home recently sold in a tax sale, police said.

"Police would not identify the woman pending notification of family members. Florence Beran, 85, owned and resided in the house at 1214 Long Ridge with her daughter Susan, 57, according to public records.

"Police said a middle-aged woman killed her mother, who may have been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.

"Police seized several hunting rifles and handguns at the scene. The mother's late husband was a sportsman, according to police. Joseph Beran, Florence's husband, died in 2006.

"Officers arrived at the home at about 1 p.m. Friday in response to calls from concerned neighbors. When no one answered the door, an officer climbed a ladder and entered through a second-floor window to discover a `gruesome scene,` according to Stamford police Capt. Richard Conklin.

"Conklin said he believed the shootings occurred within the last 48 hours.

"The family owed $50,000 in taxes and recently sold the property in a tax sale, according to Conklin. He said they were behind on bills.

"There was no power at the gray house, which is surrounded by overgrown grass, weeds, brush and fallen trees. Police tape surrounded the front entrance Friday.

"Conklin said neighbors had recently been giving food and money to the family.

"The home was sold April 21.

"Susan Beran is profiled as a psychic healer on Soul Buffet, an `online community and psychics mall.`

"The state medical examiner was on the scene, along with animal control officers summoned to deal with four dogs in the house.

"The mother's body was found on the first floor, and the daughter's was on the second, police said."

From greenwichtime.com...