Bodies Found Weeks After Murder/Suicide

"GAFFNEY, SC — Autopsies confirm that a Gaffney couple found dead Friday afternoon died from gunshot wounds in an apparent murder-suicide.

"Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said James Truman Smith, 74, and his 69 year old wife, Doris Marlene Smith, 69, sustained single gunshot wounds to the head.

"The Smiths were found lying in the driveway of their rural home on Dry Fork Road about 3:50 p.m. by a man who had come over to get some large rocks, Fowler said, in a written statement Sunday.

"`Based on my investigation, autopsy results and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office investigation, I have ruled Mrs. Smith's death a homicide and Mr. Smith's death a suicide,` Fowler said.

"The couple died sometime between April 24 and 26.

"`Mr. Smith shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself,` Fowler said. `This is a most tragic event for which we will never know exactly what led up to the fatal shootings.`"

From GoUpstate.com...