Victim Likely Suffered "Prolonged Domestic Abuse"

"MONTROSE, IA — A Montrose couple is dead after a man beat his wife to death before shooting himself, a Lee County official said. The couple was found Wednesday.

"Lee County Medical Examiner Eugenio Torres says Dirk Richard Fellows, 59, beat Jody Carol Fellows, 64, all over her body with his fists. Torres determined a blow to her head killed her.

"Fellows then shot himself in the head. Sheriff officials also found the family dog shot dead.

"Sheriff Jim Sholl said the couple was found in their home after a welfare check request. Sholl says a family friend was concerned when she hadn't heard from Jody Fellows in several days.

"After checking local hospitals and getting no response at the door, deputies saw the vehicles were in the garage and the house doors were locked from the inside, so they looked in the windows of the house. Sholl says deputies saw Dirk Fellows in his bed and saw blood.

"They went into the house and found Jody fellows near the door dead on the floor.

"Investigators say the occurrence wasn't a fluke.

"`She is possibly the victim of extended, prolonged domestic abuse,` Sholl said. `When you look at old bruises and new bruises, I think she was a victim of continued domestic violence.`"

From WGEM.com...

2 Dead Bodies, 3 Dead Dogs Found In Home

"HAWKINS, TX — The Texas Rangers are investigating after two bodies were found Wednesday in a Hawkins home.

"Hawkins Police Chief Ron Voda says the deaths are being investigated as a murder/suicide until the autopsy comes back.

"Voda said officers were sent to a home about 2:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Estelle Street. When they arrived at the house, they found the front door open. Officers found two dead bodies and three dead dogs. Voda says all of them appeared to have been shot to death.

"The bodies were sent to Southwest Forensics in Dallas for an autopsy and the Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation."

From ktre.com...

Cat And Dog Orphaned After Shooting

"GULFPORT, FL &mdahs; On the morning of November 9 Gulfport police discovered an apparent murder/suicide at 4737 Coronado Way in Gulfport.

"Gulfport Police Officer Ray Marshall responded to a neighbor’s call for a welfare check on Julia and Gordon Champion, both 80. Six days of newspapers in the front yard prompted the check. Marshall entered the property through an unlocked door, where he found the elderly couple dead.

"Police say both victims appear to have died from gunshot wounds.

“`All leads thus far do point to murder/suicide,` Gulfport Police Public Information Officer Tom Woodman said.

"Neighbors tell the Gabber they believe Mrs. Champion may have shown signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Police are awaiting a doctor’s verification on this.

"Also found in the home was an elderly dachshund. Neighbors took possession of the dachshund and a local Gulfport couple says they are prepared to adopt the dog if the Champions’ son, who lives in New York, does not want it.

"Also found at the scene was a cat, allegedly shut in a room. Pinellas County Animal Services took possession of the cat Sunday.

"Police would not say if the couple left a note. The case remains under investigation."

From thegabber.com...

"Heat Of The Moment" Leaves Two Dead

"ROYALTON, NY — Police have released the names of a man and woman found dead following a murder/suicide Sunday at their home in the town of Royalton, Niagara County.

"Police said Kimberli Socha, 30, and her boyfriend, Darryl McDaniel, 32 were both found dead Sunday from apparent gunshot wounds.

"Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour said Monday that based on some cell phone evidence, the apparent murder/suicide was planned minutes before it happened.

"`We did view some cell phone messages, some text messages that came from Mr. McDaniel,` said Niagara County Sheriff Jim Voutour. `I believe it was probably heat of the moment, but I can tell you some of the text messages were just some goodbyes that he sent. He sent some goodbyes, which would indicate to me that there was at least a short-term plan.`

"State police and sheriff's deputies were called around 11 a.m. Sunday to a home on 8838 Fisk Road, after the bodies of Socha and McDaniel were found by Socha's brother.

"Police said that McDaniel shot Socha, along with three dogs, inside the house. Several guns were found inside the home, and Voutour said it appears a shotgun and possibly a .22 rifle were use in the shooting."

From TWC News...

Mother And Baby Gunned Down In Front Yard

"TUCSON, AZ — A mother, her baby, and two dogs were shot and killed in the front yard of an eastside home.

"Police were called to an apartment complex on the 1300 block of North Bonanza Avenue, near east Speedway between North Houghton and North Harrison Roads, for reports of multiple gunshots fired just after 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"Heather Marcucci, 34, 7-week-old Jase David DeBaker and two dogs were found dead in the front yard of the home, from gunshot-inflicted wounds.

"Jeremy DeBaker, 21; was found dead in front of the home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Marucci and Jeremy DeBaker lived together at the home with the child, police say.

"Tucson police Sgt. Pete Dugan, a spokesman for the department, said police are investigating the crime as a double murder/suicide."

From jrn.com...

Man, Woman, Dog Dead In Condo Shooting

"CLOVIS, CA — The bodies of two adults were found Friday in a Clovis condominium, and police are investigating their deaths as an apparent murder/suicide.

"Clovis police said a despondent man made a 911 call just after 5 p.m. and claimed he had just shot a family member and was preparing to shoot himself. Sgt. Vince Weibert said the man told the 911 dispatcher that he had shot his wife and dog.

"Dozens of police vehicles closed off the main entrance to the Tollhouse Village condominiums on Tollhouse Lane near Fowler Avenue. Some of the armor-clad officers wielded a riot shield and high-powered rifles, and one carried a massive metal battering ram. Neighbors assembled behind yellow tape a few hundred feet from the crime scene.

"Sgt. Jim Koch said that officers entered the home after a wait of over two hours and found the two dead adults. Both had been shot.

"Police did not immediately release the names of the two dead people pending notification of family and the continuing investigation. Saturday afternoon, Sgt. Jim Koch said an autopsy is pending and said the preliminary investigation indicates this was a murder-suicide."

Source: Fresno Bee...

Neighbors Call Police After Hearing Gunshots, Screaming

"VANCOUVER, WA — Danny Lee Luster died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and neck, and his wife died after he shot her in the head Monday at the couple’s home in east Vancouver, according to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.

"Luster also shot and critically wounded his son, and killed the family dog, according to a search warrant affidavit released today.

"The affidavit reveals new details about the murder-suicide that took place at about 5:20 a.m. Monday at 13007 N.E. 52nd St. in the North Image neighborhood. The document shows that Luster’s son, Matthew Luster, 23, was shot at close range in the abdomen with a SKS rifle when he attempted to stop his father’s shooting rampage and a struggled ensued. He remained in critical condition early today in the intensive care unit at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

"Vancouver police were called to the residence when neighbors heard gunshots and screaming inside the Luster residence. Patrol officers entered the home and found Danny Luster with a gunshot wound to the head inside the living room. They found the bodies of his wife, Sandra Luster, and the family dog’s inside a bedroom. In the other bedroom, they found Matthew Luster who was calling for help.

"The medical examiner’s office determined Sandra Luster’s death was a homicide, while Danny Luster's manner of death was a suicide.

"According to the search warrant affidavit, Daniel Luster had recently been showing signs of depression.

"`The family was in the process of making him an appointment with a mental health professional,` said Vancouver police Detective Carole Boswell.

"During a search of the residence, detectives found five rifles, including the suspected murder weapon, two shotguns, boxes of ammunition, shell casings and live rounds, according to court records. They also found a prescription for alprazolam, also known as Xanax, for Danny Luster. Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety and depression. One of its side effects can be thoughts of suicide, according to the National Institutes of Health."

From the Columbian...

Women, Dogs Found Dead In Apartment

"ANSON, TX — Anson police learned Friday that the women involved in a murder/suicide case weren’t actually related despite the indication on their housing applications.

"The two yet-to-be-identified women lived in two separate apartments within government housing in the 900 block of Avenue K. Police were called to the victim’s apartment Wednesday night after a 911 caller told dispatchers she was unable to enter the apartment and could smell a foul odor.

"Responding officers saw the deceased victim sitting in a chair with a gunshot wound.

"Anson Police Chief David Moore said Thursday that the murder could have taken place as early as Monday. On Friday, Moore told [reporters] that the medical examiners in Tarrant County are unable to discern whether the victim had any pre-existing medical conditions because her organs were too decomposed upon their receipt of her body.

"Moore said the victim and alleged shooter, who police said later committed suicide, listed each other as cousins on their housing applications. That is why police told the media Thursday they believed the pair were related. Moore said the two women have been acquainted since the age of 14 and he cannot yet speculate on the non-family relationship between the two.

"There is still no known motive behind the crime. The names of those involved will not be released until all family members have been notified of the deaths."

From KTXS...

Elderly Couple, Dog Found Shot To Death

"SEABROOK, SC — In Beaufort County, deputies are investigating the murder/suicide of an elderly Seabrook couple.

"Brown’s Island Road is a quiet neighborhood in the deep parts of Seabrook.

"A lot of older people live there, that’s why deputies make random health and welfare checks, especially at the home where 81-year old Brian Chinn and 80-year old Jeanette Chinn lived.

"Beaufort County Coroner Ed Allen says Thursday’s check up was anything but routine, `Their son had called a neighbor to check on them, when he tried to reach his parents. He initially thought something was wrong with the phone,` says Coroner Ed Allen with Beaufort County.

"Allen says once at the house, a neighbor looked through the window and saw the couple lying in a bedroom, that’s when the neighbor called 9-1-1. Once inside, deputies found the couple and their dog shot to death, `At this point the investigation indicate a homicide-suicide, very tragic situation,` says Allen.

"Allen says they noticed a gun by the couple and that both of them were shot, `We are going to subpoena some medical records. I’m speaking with some family members, nothing has been confirmed,`says Allen.

"An autopsy was performed. Allen says this Sunday would have been Jeanette Chinn’s 81st birthday."

From wjcl.com...

Bodies, Dead Dogs Found In Burning Home

"BELL COUNTY, TX — The Bell County Sheriff's Office and Morgan's Point Resort Police are investigating a suspected murder suicide on 13 Buttercup Loop in Morgan's Point Resort.

"Police say Brian John Cecil, 41, and Tabitha Sazama, 41, along with two dogs, were found dead in a single story home that had fire and smoke damage early Wednesday morning.

"Police responded to a home on Buttercup Loop about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning for a possible shooting. This was after Bell County 911 received a call from Cecil's ex-wife.

"According to police, Cecil's ex-wife said she got a call from Cecil, who said he shot Sazama after she tried to stab him. Cecil's ex-wife did not know where the incident took place.

"Morgan's Point Resort Police arrested Cecil on October 22 on charges of criminal trespass and assault after a domestic disturbance at Sazama's home on Buttercup Loop.

"Officers responded to Sazama's home and found that Cecil's car was parked a block away. When they arrived, they detected a strong smell of smoke coming from the home.

"The Bell County Sheriff's SWAT Team forced their way into the house and found the bodies of Brian Cecil and Tabitha Sazama in the master bedroom. Police say both appeared to have gunshot wounds.

"A gun and a knife were found near the bodies in the bedroom of the home. Police say the house was full of heavy smoke when they entered and there was extensive fire damage in the bedroom and smoke damage throughout the house.

"Cecil and Sazama were pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace G. W. Ivey and both bodies have been taken to The Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for autopsy.

"The sequence of events are still under investigation and police have not released a motive."

From KXXV.com...

Shooting Rampage Leaves 5 People And 2 Dogs Dead

"PHOENIX, AZ — Phoenix police on Sunday identified the five people found shot to death at a Phoenix townhouse over the weekend.

"The victims are Bruce Moore, 66; Michael Moore, 42; Renee Moore, 36; and Shannon Moore, 17. The shooter, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is identified as 56-year-old Michael Dante Guzzo.

"The family's two dogs were also shot and killed.

"Phoenix P.D. Sgt. Tommy Thompson said officers responded to a call about shots fired at the complex near 17th Avenue and Hazelwood about 9 a.m. Saturday.

"After shooting the victims, Guzzo walked across the courtyard and shot through the front door and window of another townhouse in the same complex, Thompson said. Guzzo left that scene on foot, apparently returning to his apartment.

"Thompson told reporters that officers entered the first townhouse and found the bodies of four people. Two were on the patio and two were inside. Two dead dogs were also found with gunshot wounds.

"In the second townhouse next to theirs, Thompson said officers found the body of the suspected gunman.

"A pump shotgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was found next to him, Thompson said. Police said Guzzo died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."

Read more at kpho.com...

Woman Kills Mother, Dog Before Shooting Herself

"BATON ROGUE, LA —East Baton Rouge Parish deputies said a mother and daughter died in a Willow Grove Boulevard residence Tuesday afternoon in an apparent murder/suicide.

"Deputies say Karen Diamond, 47, shot and killed her mother, Eula Diamond, 84, and the family dog before shooting herself, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Savannah Williams said.

"The bodies were found when deputies received a phone call from a woman asking that they check on her friend, Williams said.

"When deputies arrived at 7812 Willow Grove Blvd. at about 2:20 p.m., they found the two women and the dog, Williams said.

"Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark said the two women died each from a single gunshot wound to the head.

"He said the bodies were found in a large room similar to a den on the first floor of the home.

"`It’s very tragic, very sad,` Clark said."

From The Advocate...

"They Were Really Nice People"

"HASLETT, MI — A couple in their 60s as well as their three dogs were found dead Tuesday at their home, police said, in an apparent murder-suicide.

"At about 12:10 p.m., officers responded to the home at 5609 Creekwood Lane for a reported accidental shooting.

"The couple — Ron Klaus, 68, and Elaine Klaus, 64 —were found dead inside the home, said Meridian Township police Lt. Greg Frenger.

"The dogs also were found dead.

"Police did not release any additional information.

"Property records show the couple had lived there since the late-1980s.

"`They were really nice people,` said neighbor John Foren. `We’re obviously shocked.`"

From LSJ.com...

Man, Woman, And Dog Found Dead In Home

"BRISTOL, WI — Dane County Sheriff’s Department has identified the couple found dead in a town of Bristol home Tuesday afternoon.

"They have been identified as Kevin S. Herskind, 53, and Julie A. L. Herskind, 52. Authorities have determined that Kevin Herskind fatally shot his wife Julie Herskind and then committed suicide.

"Kevin Herskind also fatally shot a dog belonging to the couple. Another small dog and three cats were removed from the home on 6710 County Highway N by an animal control officer.

"It’s unclear at this point what led up to the violence, but detectives will continue to investigate the incident, according to the sheriff’s department.

"Dane County deputies discovered Herskind and his wife after they were called to the scene when an employer became concerned when an employee did not show up for work as expected."

From hngnews.com...

Evil Stepfather

"BRIGHAM CITY, UT — A 16-year-old girl and her stepfather were found dead in their Brigham City home, and police are still looking for answers in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

"The body of Alix Norman was discovered about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon by her mother, Chrishelle Woodruff, as she returned from work to the family home at 545 N. 100 East.

"Norman’s body was found at the foot of the stairs, according to Brigham City Police Lt. Mike Nelson. The mother immediately notified police.

"In their search of the residence, police also found the body of 45-year-old Michael Woodruff in a bedroom. A .40-caliber handgun was located near him.

"The family dog was found shot to death in another room.

"Police Lt. Mike Nelson said no notes or others clues were found at the scene, but a neighbor did report hearing `popping` sounds at about 4:30 p.m. He said he had assumed they came from a nail gun, as the home was under extensive renovations.

"Nelson said there did not appear to be any problems in the family, and the victims seemed to have had a good relationship.

"Chrishelle Woodruff told officers she was not aware that her husband, a truck driver, even owned a gun, so investigators will be looking at ownership of the weapon.

"`Right now we don’t have answers to the whys,` Nelson said. `They took those answers with them.`"

From hjnews.com...

Two Dead, Two Critical After Dad's Shooting Rampage

"SHALER TOWNSHIP, PA — Allegheny County Homicide Detectives are looking into a deadly shooting early Thursday morning in Shaler.

"According to police, the incident happened around 3 a.m. in the 400-block of Winterset Drive.

"A family of four lived inside the home, including a father, mother, 19-year-old daughter and a 21-year-old son.

"The father is the suspected shooter and has been identified as, 52-year-old Jim Edwards.

"Police say Edwards grabbed two .44-caliber revolvers and attempted to kill his family.

"`The children were in the respective rooms and he went room to room, for lack of a better term, and shot at all the people,` Allegheny County Police Lt. Andrew Schurman said.

"His wife, Charlene, survived as did the couple’s 21-year-old son, Jim, who is a pharmaceutical student at Duquesne University.

"However, 19-year-old Laurin Edwards, who just celebrated her birthday on Wednesday and was about to head back to Saint Francis University, did not survive.

"According to police, Edwards worked as a electrician and last Friday was `placed on suspension pending further action by his employer.`

"Some neighbors also said there were harassment problems between Edwards and a few people on the street. While the wife was able to tell police a brief account of what happened, a motive is still under investigation.

"`He’s obviously the best source of information for that. And without him to tell us, we may never know exactly. We didn’t find any manuscripts or anything like that,` Lt. Schurman said.

"Edwards was an employee at the Allegheny County Airport.

"Both the mother and son remain in critical condition.

"The family’s dog was also shot and killed in the incident."

From CBS Pittsburgh...

Friend Calls Police After Finding Bodies

"PHOENIX, AZ — Police are investigating after two bodies were discovered inside a Phoenix home Friday morning.

"Sgt. Tommy Thompson said the bodies of a male and a female were located in a home near Indian School Road and 59th Avenue Friday afternoon.

"Thompson said the bodies had been there for `several days.`

"Police were called after friends of the man and woman had not seen them for several days and received no response when attempting to contact them. The friends looked inside and saw one of the victims who was unresponsive.

"Official cause of death is unknown, but Thompson said, `early indications` show that it may have been a murder\suicide. He said a medical examiner has been called in.

"Thompson said there were some animals in the home and they are being removed.

"The names of the man and woman have not been released."

From abc15.com...

Two Cats Orphaned After Owners Found Dead

"OCEANSIDE, NY — In an apparent murder-suicide at an Oceanside condo complex, a man shot his longtime spouse before turning the gun on himself, police said Tuesday.

"Christine Braun Johnson, 63, and James Johnson, 73, were found dead when officers arrived about 6 p.m. Monday, Nassau County police said.

"Neighbors said the husband was a retired architect-engineer who loved fishing; his wife was an avid tennis player. They said the couple had lived more than 25 years at Brower Oakview Condominiums, a complex of about 45 condos.

"Insp. Kenneth Lack, a police spokesman, described the deaths as a murder/suicide. No other details were released.

"The couple had two cats, and police were trying to find someone who could care for the pets temporarily."

Read more at Long Island Newsday...

Dogs Found Eating Badly Decomposed Bodies

"TELL CITY, IN — Two bodies discovered in a mobile home Monday night were being eaten by their pet dogs.

"The mother and son were found dead inside the mobile home on 13340 Mason Drive by Franklin's daughter Monday night, but, we're told, the bodies could have been there much longer than that.

"State Police say 47-year-old Franklin Anthony Kirk, shot and killed his mother, 64-year-old Elaine S. Kirk, 64, in their home.

"Investigators say Franklin then took his own life.

"Detective say a handgun was recovered at the scene.

"Neighbors say they the last time they saw either Franklin or Elaine was more than a week ago.

"The Perry County Coroner says the bodies were badly decomposed.

"`Apparently a couple of the dogs ate on her head a little bit so they killed all the dogs,` said Charles Baumeister, Perry County Coroner.

"Indiana State Police reported Perry County Sheriff's deputies shot the dogs when they discovered the animals had eaten parts of the bodies. ISP added it is regulation that if a dog eats human remains it cannot be accepted at a shelter and must be destroyed."

From WBIW.com...

Man, Woman, Dogs Found Dead In Home

"SUN LAKES, AZ — Authorities have released the names of a couple in a suspected murder/suicide at an adult community near Chandler.

"The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says a man and woman were found dead at a Sun Lakes home on Wednesday.

"They say 83-year-old James Radley allegedly shot 66-year-old Luigina Szajda, then his two dogs before turning the gun on himself.

"Family members [said] that Radley lived alone in the home and Szajda was a friend.

"Deputies were called to the home on reports that a resident was suicidal.

"There was no response so deputies crawled into the house through a back window and found two adults as well as two dead dogs."

From SFGate...