Authorities in California believe that a husband fatally shot his wife before he took his own life in an apparent murder-suicide at their home.
The Santa Monica Police Department announced in a news release that officers responded to a residence on 3100 block of Pico Boulevard, which is a major road in Los Angeles County, after they received a request for a welfare check on Saturday, September 26.
Upon their arrival, responding officers found the bodies of a man and a woman that they believed were a married couple. Detectives then launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding both of their deaths.
After authorities briefly looked into the situation, detectives came to believe that the husband fatally shot his wife around 6:42 a.m. on the same day their bodies were found. He then died by suicide shortly after.
It is not currently clear how much time passed between the killings and when police found the deceased.
Police added in the news release that they recovered a firearm at the scene of the crime.
Authorities stated that the murder-suicide was an isolated incident and said that there is no ongoing threat to the public in connection to the killings.
Police have not yet revealed the identities of the couple as they await pending formal identification by the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, as well as notification of next of kin. The Medical Examiner will determine the official causes and manners of death for both of the victims.
No additional details have been shared, including if the couple had a history of domestic violence or if police officers had ever been called to the home regarding prior disputes. The duration of their relationship is unknown as well as their ages or if they shared children. Police also did not disclose who called to request the welfare check.
As police continue to investigate the case, they have asked that anyone who may have additional information regarding the murder-suicide contact the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
The Santa Monica Police Department had no additional updates to share when contacted by Us about the case on Monday, September 28. The investigation into the case remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what happened leading up to the killings and if there was a motive.
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