Bodies Found In Cave Were Murder/Suicide

"SIERRA VISTA, AZ — Two people were found dead inside the Coronado Cave on Wednesday in what appears to have been a murder-suicide, the sheriff’s office announced today.

"Walt G. Lemaire and Sheryl L. Allen, both 23, were discovered inside a tent in the back of the cave in the Coronado National Memorial in Hereford by a park ranger at 2:19 p.m., said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.

"Both are listed as Sierra Vista residents according to sheriff’s records, though an Arizona driver’s license issued to Lemaire in April lists a Mesa address, Capas said.

"The initial investigation indicates that Lemaire shot Allen with a small caliber handgun recovered at the scene before shooting himself, she said. The two were believed to have been in a relationship.

"The park ranger investigated the cave after pulling over a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area earlier that day. The occupants had seen the tent in the cave and asked if camping in Coronado Cave was allowed, Capas said.

"Investigators estimate the incident occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. that day.
Both bodies have been taken to the Cochise County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy and the investigation continues.

"Coronado Cave, located in the Coronado National Memorial, is located about 21 miles south of Sierra Vista and extends about 600 feet from the entrance. Forest Service staff reported Thursday that the cave remains open to the public."

From The Herald...

Exact Time Of Deaths Unknown

"HILLTOWN, PA — Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that was discovered Wednesday night in an apartment on the 100 block of Washington Court.

"Hilltown Police said a 58-year-old female was found dead on a bed in the master bedroom and a 65-year-old male was found dead on the floor of the bathroom.

"Preliminary investigation shows that the female was killed in the bed and the male committed suicide in the bathroom, police said.

"Police responded to the home at 8:18 p.m. Wednesday to check the well-being of the unmarried couple after family members could not contact them.

"Police said both residents’ vehicles were present and recent mail, packages and newspapers were uncollected on the porch of the ground-floor apartment.

"Police forced themselves into the home and discovered both victims dead.

"Autopsies are scheduled for Friday to determine the exact cause of and times of death.

"Identifications are being withheld until next of kin are notified, police said."

From The Reporter...

UPDATE:

10/08/2010 — Killer used a hammer...

Estranged Wife Killed Outside Home

"HAMPTON, VA — Police say a man shot his estranged wife and then killed himself.

"Patricia McCarthy, 58, was shot outside a home on Pear Avenue in Hampton; authorities say her estanged husband, Tracy McCarthy, 45, had driven up to the house and they got into an argument around 6:36 a.m.

"About an hour later, Mr. McCarthy's truck was found on Terminal Avenue, across from the I-664 northbound offramp, in Newport News. His body was located shortly after that, Newport News Police said.

"The couple had domestic problems previously and Hampton police had responded as recently as last month, said Cpl. Allison Quinones, adding they were in the process of getting divorced.

"Quinones says it's unclear why they were at the home because neither person was living there, but it had previously been their residence.

"Mrs. McCarthy was a special education teacher at Davis Middle School.

"The investigation continues."

From WVEC.com...

Three Men Found Dead

"PHOENIX, AZ — Three people died in an apparent murder-suicide Wednesday evening at an apartment complex next to a Phoenix Police Department precinct, authorities said.

"The shooting occurred at the Paradise Palms apartments on Southern Avenue near Third Avenue about 4:30 p.m. Police found two bodies in the courtyard. Officers were told the shooter was in an apartment unit.

"The officers heard a single gunshot when they arrived at the unit and found the suspected shooter dead. According to Sgt. Tommy Thompson, the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

"The apartment complex is adjacent to the South Mountain Precinct, also on Southern Avenue.

"Thompson said all of the deceased were adult males but that investigators hadn't determined how the men knew each other.

"Several bystanders waited across the street from complex. Two women said they knew the men possibly involved.

"Brooke Anderson said she was friends with two of the men. She said the three men were friends who had an argument the day before, but she had believed everything was settled.

"`I don't know what led to this point,` Anderson said.

"Tammy Fletcher said one of the men was her first cousin.

"`He didn't deserve to die,` she said. `He was a good person, he had a good heart.`

"Police believe there are no outstanding suspects."

From azcentral.com...

Elderly Couple Broke The Rules

"CEDAR CITY, UT — An elderly couple who apparently died from gunshot wounds in a murder suicide Monday were living in an assisted living community that bans weapons.

"Jahshua Edwards, executive director of the Emerald Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care Community at 995 S. Regency Rd. said on Tuesday he did not know how a gun was brought into the facility of 55 apartments. He said the business has a strict policy forbidding weapons of any kind.

"He said Monday’s shooting happened in the couple’s apartment around noon. After the shooting a staff member entered the apartment and found the couple.

"The names of the couple have not yet been released as police are still trying to notify family members. Edwards said that all residents are aware of the no weapons policy, which includes visitors signing into the complex that has 48 residents living in private apartments.

"Cedar City police Sgt JR Robinson said Tuesday an investigation into the deaths is continuing."

From sltrib.com...