Sheriff Suspects Murder/Suicide

"CHILHOWIE, VA — Deputies in Smyth County are investigating what the Sheriff says is likely a murder-suicide.

"According to a press release, the Smyth County Sheriff's Office and the Chilhowie Police Department found a man and a woman dead from gunshot wounds at 117 Four Apple Avenue in Chilhowie Wednesday afternoon. Deputies didn't release a possible motive. The Sheriff's Office won't give out any names until relatives are notified of the situation.

"Deputies are now awaiting autopsy results from Roanoke."

From TriCities.com...

"That's Just Not Like Her"

"THURSTON COUNTY, WA — Homicide detectives were called to a home near Lacey where police believe a woman shot her husband Wednesday morning.

"Police said they received a call about the shooting in the 9100 block of Steilacoom Road Southeast at 5:20 a.m. from a private security company within a retirement community after an alarm was likely triggered by gunshots.

"Police officers said they entered the home to find an 83-year-old man dead, and his 51-year-old wife critically injured.

"Lt. Greg Elwin with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said both had been shot in the head.

"Detectives said they think the woman shot her husband, then herself. Detectives found a handgun in the home.

"`Our preliminary investigation at this point indicates that this is a murder, with an attempted suicide,` said Elwin.

"As investigators combed the scene for evidence, neighbors tried to think about what would have prompted the shooting.

"`That's just not like her. So, there's something that has happened somewhere along the line that we don't know anything about,` said Helen Surprenant, a caretaker at the community.

"`It's just a shock, because they were a nice, quiet, as far as we know, a nice couple,` said neighbor Roy Bernd.

"Police confirm they had never been called to the residence for any domestic disturbances, and there were no reports of trouble in the marriage from anyone who knows the couple.

"Investigators are exploring the possibility that one of them was in bad health.

"`That's one of the first thoughts that comes to your mind in this type of situation. During today, we'll get ahold of caregivers and doctors and that kind of thing`, said Elwin."

From KIROTV.com...

Death On The Street

"GRAND RAPIDS, MI — An early morning domestic dispute turned tragic after police said a man shot and killed his girlfriend in the street and then took his own life in the basement of a nearby Southwest Side home.

"Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk said officers breached a home on the 600 block of Oakland Avenue SW about 8:40 a.m. after a standoff that lasted a couple hours.

"Officers were called to the neighborhood following a pair of 6 a.m. 911 calls and shut down neighborhood streets around Godfrey Avenue and Rumsey Street SW to investigate the death of a woman who was apparently shot in the street.

"Police were able to rescue a pair of children, about 3 years old and 4 months old, from the home, said Belk. The toddler provided information on the whereabouts of the male suspect, whom police found in the basement, dead from an apparent self-inflicted
gunshot wound.

"Neither the suspect, the victim nor the children are being identified, said Belk, but the children are fine and arrangements for their care are being made.

"Belk said family members were assisting the major case and Special Tactical Unit members on scene.

"Officers never made contact with the suspect using bullhorns or over the phone, said Belk, who did not know the man’s full background but said he was known to police. One weapon was recovered on the scene.

"Belk said police did not know what exactly sparked the incident. He said there was an argument during the first call to 911 and a return call saying the girlfriend had been shot.

"Grand Rapids Public Schools are closing the nearby Southwest Community Campus School for the day due to this incident."

From mlive.com...

"I Feel Bad. Everybody Feels Bad."

"OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The deaths of two people found in their Oklahoma City home appear to be a case of murder-suicide, according to police.

"Investigators say 52-year-old Phonephet Chansombath shot his wife Thongdy Chansombath, 48, and then turned the gun on himself.

"Police say they were called to 1841 NW 11th St. regarding two deceased persons inside the home. When officers arrived they discovered two victims, dead of gunshot wounds.

"Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

"The pastor of a local church, the Rev. Bouavongkham Phanthala, said family members called him to check on the couple who had been members of his congregation for years.
Phanthala said police didn’t give him much information, but investigators say those same family members came to the house earlier and found the couple dead.

"`I feel bad. Everybody feels bad,` said Bouavongkham Phanthala.

"A neighbor, Terry Rosado, said she would often see Chansombath outside working in his yard.

"`He was out there working in the flowers and I said, 'Hello,' and he seemed okay. He seemed like he was happy and everything,` said Rosado.

"Rosado said he was always friendly."

From KOCO.com...

Sheriff Rules Three Deaths Murder/Suicide

"SHELBY COUNTY, AL — The three people found dead last Friday on Roubdioux Road died in a murder-suicide, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release today.

"Deputies identified the bodies as 53-year-old Anita M. Castillo, 78-year-old Phyllis J. Castillo and 58-year-old Melvin R. Jones.

"`Autopsies have been completed and they revealed that all three died as a result of gunshot wounds and that Melvin Jones’ wounds were apparently self-inflicted,` the release read. `A gun was recovered at the crime scene. While sheriff’s investigators continue to examine all of the evidence in this case, it appears that this was a murder-suicide.`

"Phyllis Castillo was the mother of Anita Castillo and Melvin Jones, the release stated.

"Deputies discovered the bodies in a residence on Roubdioux Road, which is between Helena and Bessemer off South Shades Crest Road, after the Shelby County 911 office received a call reporting a possible death at the residence at about 2:43 p.m. on Oct. 28.

"`This is a tragic loss and very difficult set of circumstances to deal with for the family and everyone who knew them,` Sheriff Chris Curry wrote in the release."

From the Shelby County Reporter...