3 dead in apparent murder-suicide in Virginia

SPOTSYLVANIA COURTHOUSE, Va. (AP) — Three members of a Virginia family have been found dead in their home in what authorities believe was a double murder-suicide.

News outlets report Lt. C.A. Carey with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office says deputies found 38-year-old Meghan Scully and her parents, 68-year-old Mary Scully and 69-year-old Robert Scully, dead of gunshot wounds Saturday afternoon.

Deputies were responding to a neighbor’s request to check the welfare of the residents after the neighbor found the Scullys’ dog running around the neighborhood and noticed their door was wide open.

Carey says it’s believed the slayings took place within 24 hours of discovery. Police haven’t said which of the deceased is suspected of killing the other two, but Carey says police have a strong idea.

The killings remain under investigation.