Cancer And Alzheimer's Lead To Desperate Act

"FAYETTEVILLE, AR — Police are investigating an apparent murder/suicide involving an elderly couple midday today in Fayetteville.

"Fayetteville police said Richard E. Guthrie and Elizabeth S. Guthrie were found dead when officers arrived at the scene. Both had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

"Officers responded to 5657 W. Reliance St. at about 11:30 a.m. today after a man reported that his grandfather was feeling suicidal.

"The man reportedly called his grandson and told him he planned to kill his wife, before taking his own life.

"Fayetteville Police Sgt. Bill Phelan said the suicidal man was in his late 80s or early 90s. He had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and his wife was battling Alzheimer’s Disease.

"`I don’t think this was the first time he’d felt suicidal,` Phelan said."

From NWAonline.com...