Husband Tracks Down, Kills Estranged Wife

"MONESSEN, PA — A man shot and killed his estranged wife and critically wounded his brother-in-law before turning the gun on himself in Monessen this morning, the Westmoreland County coroner said.

"County coroner Ken Bacha said Robert W. Pendleton, 36, of Rostraver, entered a house on Alexander Avenue where his estranged wife, Kelly A. Pendleton, 37, was staying, around 12:10 a.m. and shot her and her brother, 40-year-old Thomas Brookes, wounding him, before turning the gun on himself.

"Deputy Coroner Joshua C. Zappone pronounced the couple dead at the scene. Mr. Brookes was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital and was in critical condition.

"The coroner’s office said the incident is being investigated as an apparent murder/suicide, however cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy, which is scheduled for later today. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks."

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette...