An elderly Washington man and his wife are dead after an apparent murder-suicide, according to police.
On Wednesday morning, a Farmdale man called 911 and reported he planned to shoot himself, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said the man told the 911 dispatcher that he planned to leave a note in his bedroom that would explain his actions.
The dispatcher attempted to keep the caller on the phone, according to authorities, but the man disconnected. A crisis negotiator then spent around an hour trying to make contact, with no success. Afterward, police sent a robot mounted camera into the residence before entering.
When deputies walked into the home, they found a 77-year-old man and his 76-year-old wife deceased from gunshot wounds. They were laying beside each other.
Murder / Suicide near FerndaleAt 0823 hours this morning deputies responded to the 6500 block of Timmeran Lane near…
Posted by Whatcom County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Investigators found several suicide notes left behind, explaining that the wife had ongoing medical problems and that the couple could no longer afford the mounting medical bills.
The couple’s names have not been released yet, pending notification of family members. Police found two dogs inside the home that were unharmed. They’ve been taken to the Humane Society.
“It is very tragic that one of our senior citizens would find himself in such desperate circumstances where he felt murder and suicide were the only option,” Sheriff Bill Elko with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook. “Help is always available with a call to 9-1-1.”
The story is developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
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