"They Seemed Like Good Neighbors"

"CHESTERFIELD, VA — A Chesterfield community wants to know what prompted a man to shoot his wife and then set their home on fire, before turning the gun on himself. The deadly discovery was made when fire crews were called to the home on 2012 Castle Glen Ct. about 11:30 Thursday night.

"What would cause someone to do this? That's the question on everyone's mind in this neighborhood. People described Walter Hester as a kind man who cared about youth and even had a teenager of his own.

"`Just kind of shocked. I would've never expected it,` said Hunter Bogert.

He came to see the crime scene for himself.

"`He was always so happy. Such a nice guy,` Bogert said.

Something went terribly wrong Thursday night. Chesterfield Police say Hester shot his wife 46-year-old Clara Morgan-Hester, then set their home on fire before turning the gun on himself.

"`Suddenly I look out the front window and there's a bazillion lights out front,` said neighbor Mitch Wyss.

"Neighbors noticed the frenzy but had no clue it was the result of suspected murder suicide.

"`Not at all. They seemed like good neighbors,` Wyss added.

"`Everybody's kind to each other. There's never hardly ever any problems around here,` said neighbor Laura Leyendecker.

"Neighbors say the couple's teenage son is in the care of family tonight. Police say they have no record of domestic violence between the couple."

From nbc12.com...