Archive for Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Shooting victims were twin sisters who made suicide pact
Two middle-aged women were found dead, the apparent victims of a murder-suicide, shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday near this access point to the Mill Creek Steamway Park in the 5900 block of Barker Road.
Deputy Rick Howell of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office updates the media on the investigation into the deaths of two women found shot to death Wednesday afternoon on the Mill Creek Streamway Park trail in Shawnee.
The two women found dead Wednesday afternoon along a section of the Mill Creek Streamway Park trail between Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive were twin sisters who made a suicide pact.
Police earlier suspected the shooting deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. But sources with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office said Thursday afternoon that that was not the case. A formal press release was expected pending positive fingerprint identification, Deputy Rick Howell of the sheriff's office said.
"It is not a murder-suicide," he said.
Investigators found a suicide note in the women's home, Howell said. They lived in Roeland Park.
Initial reports Wednesday afternoon that the women had been found shot in the head created concern in the community that a killer might be on the loose.
But an email sent to a Shawnee department head from the local police department shortly thereafter indicated that a murder-suicide was suspected.
Later, Deputy Howell said a gun had been recovered with the bodies and that authorities were not looking for a shooter. The sheriff's office was assisting the Johnson County Park Police in the investigation.
The bodies were discovered by a man traveling on the trail shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday near an access point to the in the 5900 block of Barker Road. They were found about 150 yards north of the trailhead at the access point.
About two years ago, a pair of twin males attempted to kill themselves in Shawnee. But a Shawnee police officer, Nick Shurmantine, who was on patrol, noticed a car with a house running from the exhaust into the vehicle. He acted quickly and saved the 31-year-old men.
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Comments
sroberts 2 months, 1 week ago
Sad for all involved, but at least it appears a gunman is not targeting people along the trail. Condolences to the families of both women. Prayers for the law enforcement officers on a difficult day; thank you for your work.
bodoflores 2 months, 1 week ago
It appears life is getting extremely stressful today and it is so disappointing that anyone would find this course of action as the only solution to relieve the stress. I believe it is extremly important that the general public know what led up to this decision by these individuals, if possible, and to reminded folks free help is availble to deal with any stress.Condolences to the families of both women indeed.
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