Pair Found Dead At Home In Isolated Area

"WEST BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, PA — A man and a woman were found shot to death Tuesday inside a West Bethlehem Township home in an apparent murder/suicide, Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said.

"Julie A. Bottles, 47, and Curtis Michael, 49, were found dead of gun shot wounds in a bedroom of a small double-wide home at 172 Patterson Run Road by a friend who forcibly entered the property, Warco said.

"Warco said the two were not married, but lived as a couple. State police were called to the home about 1 p.m. after the pair was found dead inside. Bottles, who was shot first, was found in bed, and Michael, who shot himself, was found on the floor, Warco said. Warco said he was not called to the scene until roughly 4 p.m.

"A weapon was located at the scene, but additional information about it was not provided.

"The property sits at the end of a long private road in an isolated area. The couple had no immediate neighbors, with the closest home situated several acres away.

"The shooting occurred between 9:15 p.m. Monday and 11 a.m. Tuesday, Warco said.

"The incident remains under investigation."

From observer-reporter.com...

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...

Two Found Dead In Mobile Home

"SWANNANOA, NC — Buncombe Sheriff's deputies have determined the Saturday shooting deaths of two people in a Swannanoa home were the result of a murder/suicide.

"The victims have been identified as Binia Bexara Maldonado, 35, of 100 Alan Campos Circle, and her nextdoor neighbor, Jose David Banillo, 31, of 98 Alan Campos Circle, off Old U.S. 70, sheriff's office spokeswoman Natalie Bailey said.

"Deputies received a call for assistance around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived at 6:45 p.m., they found the victims inside Maldonado's mobile home.

"Investigators are still trying to determine who fired the fatal shots, Bailey said.

"A handgun was used in the incident, according to a sheriff's office incident report."

From citizen-times.com...

Man Shoots Himself After Stabbing Girlfriend In Back

"WARREN COUNTY, PA — A Garland woman who was stabbed in the back Thursday morning by a Garland man, who then shot and killed himself, was upgraded, from critical to serious condition, on Friday.

"Angel N. McShane, 42, remains at UPMC Hamot, in Erie, where she was in serious condition Friday, according to a nursing supervisor.

"McShane was stabbed in the back by Charles "Chuck" Thomas Williams, 50, who then shot and killed himself in an apparent attempted murder-suicide, according to state police at the Warren barracks.

"Police were notified of a stabbing and shooting at McShane's home, along Taylor Lane, in Pittsfield Township, on Thursday, at 11:30 a.m., by Warren County 911.

"McShane reported to 911 that she had been stabbed by Williams, and that he had shot himself.

"State police and emergency personnel responded to the residence, and discovered McShane with a stab wound to her back.

"She was flown to UPMC Hamot for treatment.

"Coroner Jerry Borden said that Williams died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

"Borden said Williams was McShane's boyfriend and lived on-and-off at her residence, though Williams also maintained a separate residence."

Source: Titusville Herald...

Couple Found Dead In Trailer Park

"MOONACHIE, NJ — Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli this afternoon confirmed the identities of an engaged couple found dead in a murder/suicide at a Moonachie trailer home overnight.

"Authorities were called at 3:07 a.m. by another man who lived at 3 West 1st Street in the Vanguard Trailer Park off Moonachie Avenue, the prosecutor said.

"There they found the bodies of April Marie Wallace Ellialtioglu and Jeffrey Scarpanito Jr. on the living room floor, both with gunshot wounds in the head, he said.

"Scarpanito, 34, killed Wallace Ellialtioglu before turning the gun on himself, Molinelli said.

"The 33-year-old Ellialtioglu, who worked at Wal-Mart, cheated death several years ago after falling off an ex-boyfriend’s car at a Lodi Dunkin Donuts and sustaining severe head trauma, family sources told [reporters].

"Scarpanito was a Nevada native whose mother is a schoolteacher in Paterson.

"Autopsies were being conducted today by the Bergen County Medical Examiner.

"Molinelli’s Major Crimes Unit was investigating. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Identification collected evidence."

Source: cliffviewpilot.com...

Murder Suspect Found Dead

"FRANKLIN COUNTY, TX — A man suspected in a Franklin County murder has been found dead in Hopkins County.

"Hopkins County officials found 55-year-old Keith Lynn McDowell's body at 7:55 a.m. on County Road 2381 in the Greenwood Community. An official said he died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Authorities are investigating the murder that took place early Tuesday morning. The shooting occurred just after midnight at the Still Meadows RV Park located just south of Mount Vernon off of County Road 3070. The victim, 31-year-old Angie Jo Smith, was found dead of apparent gunshot wounds. Smith was the mother of two children, ages 5 and 7. The children weren't present when their mother was killed.

"A warrant was issued for McDowell and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said he fled the scene before deputies arrived. McDowell's body was discovered a short time later by a person in Hopkins County and contacted authorities, who were able to verify the person was McDowell."

From kltv.com...

Eight Is Enough

"BELL, FL — Deputies said a man shot and killed his daughter, his six grandchildren and himself inside a home in the small town of Bell in Gilchrist County on Thursday.

"Deputies identified the shooter as 51-year-old Don Spirit and his daughter as 28-year-old Sarah Spirit.

"Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert Schultz released the names of the victims. In addition to Sarah Spirit, they were: Kaleb Kuhlmann, 11; Kylie Kuhlmann, 9; Johnathon Kuhlmann, 8; Destiny Stewart, 5; Brandon Stewart, 4; and Alanna Stewart, who was born in June.

"Deputies said Don Spirit called 911 about 4 p.m., and referenced that he would harm people and himself.

"When deputies arrived at the home, which sits on a long dirt road on 29th Street, they said all seven victims were dead, and deputies confronted Spirit before he killed himself in front of the officers.

"During a news conference Friday morning, Gilchrist County's Superintendent of Schools, Rob Rankin, said, `We ask for prayers for our community in light of the tragic events.`"

From wftv.com...

Couple Pronounced Dead At Scene

"MINERAL WELLS, WV — Police say a Wood County couple has died in an apparent murder/suicide.

"The Wood County Sheriff’s Department tells media outlets that investigators believe James Auvil, 53, shot Christina Johnston, 43, multiple times with a pistol, and then shot himself.

"The sheriff’s department says deputies went to the couple’s home in the Oaks Trailer Park in Mineral Wells on Tuesday after Johnston called police and said Auvil was threatening her and himself. Johnston and Auvil were pronounced dead at the scene.

"The shootings remain under investigation."

From wvgazette.com...

Couple Found Dead In Mobile Home

"SANDGAP, KY — A horrible discovery in an eastern Kentucky home where police say family members found a man and a woman both dead from gunshot wounds.

"Investigators [say] this appears to be a murder/suicide.

"The home is on Highway 2004 near the Sandgap community of Jackson County.

"On Friday, a neighbor living on Highway 2004 heard screaming coming from across the street and ran inside to call 911. A short time later, she learned the terrible truth of what actually happened.

"Around noon, neighbors saw family members of 48-year-old Nancy Angel drive over to her mobile home in order to check on her and her live-in boyfriend, 47-year-old Jeffery Wilder.

"But when family arrived, they found both Nancy and Jeffery dead inside the bedroom of the residence.

"The deputy coroner believes the incident is a murder suicide and he says it appears that Jeffery shot Nancy once with a 12-gauge shotgun, killing her before turning the gun on himself."

From WKYT...

Neighbors Hear Gunshots, Police Find Bodies

"DUNLAP, TN — A couple in Sequatchie County are dead after police say the husband shot his wife of 18 years and then turned the gun on himself.

"The scene unfolded the afternoon of July 5, and police were called to the scene when neighbors heard gunshots from the secluded double-wide trailer at 51 Finley Circle, said Jody Lockhart, a detective with the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office.

"The couple left behind a 6-year-old boy who has been placed with his grandparents. The boy was not in the home during the shooting, Lockhart said."

From timesfreepress.com...

Motive Unknown In Death Of Neighbors

"EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO — The violence on July 4 that took the lives of two men in Excelsior Springs has neighbors confused over what happened.

"According to neighbors, Todd Logan, 53, shot and killed his neighbor Cletis Southwick, 49, as Cletis returned to his home from a friend’s house.

"Neighbors [told reporters] that residents of the Excelsior Manor Mobile Home Park were watching fireworks earlier in the evening. Then, at about 11:20 p.m., as Cletis Southwick returned to his trailer, they say Logan opened fire on him and then turned the gun on himself.

"Logan died that night from a self-inflicted gunshot, as police surrounded the area. Southwick was taken to Liberty Hospital but died Sunday night.

"Neighbors say the two had a disagreement in the past, but they thought the men had patched things up.

"They do not recall the two having an argument or any kind of words before Logan shot Southwick.

"Neighbors described Southwick as a well-liked and friendly man who worked as a maintenance worker at the trailer park."

From WDAF-TV...

No-Show Prompts Gruesome Welfare Check

"BLUFF CITY, TN — A Bluff City couple were found dead in their home over the weekend, with police saying the incident appears to be a murder/suicide.

"According to Bluff City Police Chief Greg Depew, the discovery was spurred by a Friday afternoon welfare check at 238 Woodland Drive. Depew says the request was made due to resident Bobby McDonald, 57, not appearing for work, where he had an excellent attendance history.

"At approximately 3:50 p.m. officers arrived at the mobile home. Both McDonald and his wife, Diann McDonald, 56, were located with fatal gunshot wounds. Their bodies have been sent for autopsies, which Depew said should establish the times of death.

"Police report a firearm was recovered from the residence, with the incident believed to be a murder/suicide. As of Monday morning Depew declined to release any additional information on the incident, including who may have pulled the trigger.

"Depew said there was no history of disturbances or domestic violence with the couple."

From TimesNews.net...

Man Found Dead After Shooting & Stabbing Mom

"MESA, AZ — Police believe a man shot and stabbed his mother before killing himself at a Mesa RV park Friday.

"Officers responded to Mesa Regal RV Resort on Main Street shortly before 10:30 a.m. and found a woman in her late 40s with multiple wounds, according to Mesa Police Sgt. Tony Landato.

"The woman was taken to a local hospital, where she was reportedly in critical but stable condition Saturday morning.

"Landato said there was indication that the woman was shot and stabbed by her son, 21-year-old Mark Samual Taro.

"`What little information we had was from workers on site that indicated they had seen a subject running west of where we found our victim,` Landato said. `Our officers began to saturate the trailer park trying to locate this subject. We weren't sure if he had made it out of the park or not.`

"Officers reportedly found a vacant mobile home on the west side of the park with signs of forced entry. A perimeter was established and negotiation attempts were initiated.

"After a few hours without a response, officers entered the mobile home and found Taro dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Landato.

"The events leading up to the incident and the motive are unknown, Landato said."

From azfamily.com...

Trailer Park Killer Found Dead In Pickup Truck

"EATONVILLE, WA — Detectives are investigating an apparent murder/suicide in the Pierce County town of Eatonville that have left two children without their parents.

"Deputies initially were dispatched to the scene at about 11:05 a.m. after receiving calls about a man who reportedly shot himself inside a truck in the 100 block of Rainier Avenue North in Eatonville, in front of the local police station.

"The man was found dead from the gunshot wound inside the truck.

"`He pulled his truck up in front of his friend's house,` said Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. `They heard the shot, they didn't see it. They came out and found him in the vehicle with the weapon.`

"Deputies then conducted a check at the dead man’s mobile home in the 100 block of Madison Avenue South in Eatonville and discovered his 37-year-old wife dead inside the home, Troyer said.

"Investigators believe the man killed the woman, then drove to the police station and shot himself.

"`Sad part about this is we have a 16-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy that belong to the couple that we are now with at the school, principal, counselors and Eatonville police,` Troyer said.

"Investigators seized a number of guns from inside the home and questioned neighbors about the couple. Witnesses say they saw the woman earlier in the day, but no one at the mobile home park heard gunfire, and no one is aware of any problems brewing between the couple.

"`Most of the neighbors and people say that these people were not trouble, so what led up to this is yet to be determined,` Troyer said.

"Investigators say they are not aware of any prior calls to this residence. A family friend told [reporters] both the man and his wife had recently lost their jobs, but it's unclear if financial pressures played any role in this tragic crime."

From komonews.com...

Cop Arrives In 30 Seconds To Find Dead Men

"BRANDON, WI — The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department is investigating a shooting in Brandon Wednesday that left two men dead.

"According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department, Bradley A. Thayer, 55, Ripon, was shot and killed and Ronald W. Kolosky, 56, Ripon, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"According to Brandon/Fairwater Police Chief Tom Dornbrook, when the call came in at 5:12 p.m., he was two blocks away and arrived on the scene in 30 seconds.

"`The witness, a woman, was outside. When I walked inside it was just as she described it. I immediately secured the scene,` Dornbrook said.

"Dornbrook said because it was a major crime scene he in turned the case over to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department.

"The sheriff’s department said there is no threat to the public.

"The residence where the shooting took place is a mobile home with an attached garage and sun room. It is across the street from Brandon Elementary School on Bowen Street.

"The woman who reported the shooting rents the home and was acquaintances with both men, Dornbroo said."

From wiscnews.com...

Guns, Knives, And Money

"NEWBURGH, NY — Town police have begun putting the pieces together in a bloody, gun-and-knife-filled incident that left two women dead and a man critically injured on Mountain View Avenue Saturday afternoon.

"Dead are Bertha Williams, 78, from more than six stab and slash wounds, and Rebecca Winters, 36, from an apparent self-inflicted shotgun blast, police said.

"A third person, Bruce Montanya, 60, was hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center with more than 20 stab wounds.

"Town of Newburgh Police Chief Michael Clancy said the deaths appear to stem from a dispute over a small amount of money and a debt.

"Clancy said police learned of the mayhem when officers responded to a 911 call from a passer-by near 37 Mountain View Ave. at about 4:50 p.m.

"When police arrived at the home where Williams and Montanya lived, they said they found Montanya on the roadside in front of his home, covered in blood.

"The body of Williams was found on the front steps of 39 Mountain View, the house next door.

"From interviews done by detectives, police said a possible picture of the events is starting to emerge."

Full story at recordonline.com...

Shooter Surprises Ex-Wife, Boyfriend

"LIMESTONE, NY — A man and woman were ambushed and killed in an apparent homicide, and the alleged shooter turned the gun on himself early Wednesday afternoon.

"Cattaraugus County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 12:19 p.m. to 5342 Nichols Run for a reported shooting. There, officers found Kimberly Podolski, 42, an Olean resident, dead inside the mobile home from a gunshot wound to the head. Her boyfriend, Dennis Larweth, 50, of Olean, was also found dead from an apparent gunshot to the head on the porch.

"The shooter, who Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb identified as Daniel Podolski, 38—Kimberly Podolski’s estranged husband—was found alive inside, but critically injured from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

"The Podolskis were married, but had been separated for some time, Whitcomb noted. Both owned the mobile home on Nichols Run. Penny Hough, Kimberly Podolski’s aunt, told the Times Herald the Podolskis have two children, one of whom attends Allegany-Limestone Elementary School.

"`They no longer lived together, and no one lived at the residence,` Whitcomb said. `The wife went there to retrieve some property, and she took her boyfriend and friend with her. They did not anticipate running into the husband there, but he was there and started shooting.`

"Police believe Podolski had been waiting for his estranged wife inside the residence for some time."

Read more at The Bradford Era...

"It's Just So Senseless"

"COMFORT, WV — A Boone County man committed a murder/suicide Thursday morning near the community of Comfort according to State Police.

"Spokesman 1st Sgt. Michael Baylous said 45-year-old Bobby Hatcher shot and killed his wife, 34-year-old Reba Hatcher, during a domestic dispute in the couple’s mobile home on Joe’s Creek Road. He then took another handgun, walked into the living room and killed himself.

"`It’s just so senseless. There was obviously some kind of dispute between a husband and wife and there were children in the household and now the children are going to live the rest of their lives without either of their parents,` Baylous said.

"Reba Hatcher’s children, 10 and 5, ran from the mobile to get help. They were not injured. State Police said another man, Bobby Davis, Jr., 44, was also in the mobile home at the time and uninjured.

"Troopers said he was an acquaintance. The couple had been married for about two years."

From wvmetronews.com...

Murder Suspect Found Dead

"DANVILLE, IL — Authorities in east central Illinois say a man found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Parke County, Indiana, was a suspect in the murder of a 40-year-old Illinois woman.

"The woman, Jamie L. Sternberger, was found fatally shot Sunday in her mobile home near Danville. Her vehicle was found Sunday in Indiana at an undisclosed spot where 43-year-old Michael Penrose is believed to have committed suicide.

"Chief Deputy Bill Todd of the Parke County, Indiana, sheriff's office says Penrose may have been living with Sternberger for about six months at her home outside of Danville where her body was found.

"Capt. Rod Kaag of the Vermilion County sheriff's department [said] investigators consider Penrose the only suspect in the murder."

From thesouthern.com...

Bodies Found In Burning Mobile Home

"WILLOW SPRINGS, MO — A husband and wife are dead in an apparent murder/suicide, according to the Howell County Sheriff's Department.

"Firefighters called to scene to battle multiple structure and vehicle fires told Howell County deputies they had located two bodies in a mobile home at the scene, 75 County Road 1130 in Willow Springs.

"Star Arnett was found dead on the floor in the mobile home with blunt force trauma to the head, according to a report from the Sheriff's Department.

"Her husband, Dwayne Arnett was found in the residence with a fatal gunshot wound.

"The fire chief of Willow Springs Fire Department said that several outbuildings had been set on fire, along with two vehicles. It also appeared someone had tried to torch the mobile home, he said.

"The Howell Co. Sheriff's Dept. is not releasing any more information at this time."

From ozarksfirst.com...