Would-Be Gun Thief Kills Two, Self

"ORIENT, OH — An Orient couple have been identified as the victims of a double murder Saturday night on state Route 762 near the state prison complex.

"Harry K. Butler, 68, and Eugenia Anderson, 62, were killed in the home they shared at 5386 Fairfield Road about 10 p.m. Saturday, victims of an apparent robbery by a neighbor.

"The suspect, Michael S. Melrose, 41, shot himself in front of Pickaway County Sheriff deputies in the back yard of the home as they arrived in response to a 911 call from the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Michael Geron, assistant county coroner.

"When deputies Tracy Andrews and Shad Wright and Sgt. Timothy Carpenter arrived on the scene within minutes of the 911 call, they spotted Melrose leaving the back of the residence with an armful of long guns he appeared to be stealing.

"According to Sheriff Robert Radcliff, deputies ordered Melrose to drop the weapons, which he did before pulling a pistol from the back of his waistband and shooting himself.

"Butler was discovered in the front room of the home, bound and wounded but still alive, Radcliff said. He died in the Scioto Township ambulance en route to Mount Carmel West Medical Center in Columbus.

"Anderson was discovered dead in a back bedroom of the home, also partially bound and a victim of gunshot wounds.

"Investigators said Melrose knew the victims and had performed odd jobs for the couple in the past. He lived just a few houses away from the murder scene."

From WOUB.org...