Elderly Puyallup couple dead in homicide-suicide
An elderly man and woman were found dead Wednesday in their Puyallup home in what police say was a homicide-suicide.
A relative of one of the deceased people discovered their bodies about 6 p.m. and notified authorities, Puyallup police Capt. Scott Engle said. Investigators found a gun near the bodies, Engle said.
Investigators determined the deaths were a homicide and suicide after talking to family and other witnesses, and based on evidence at the scene. Engle said Thursday.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the dead as Mary Virginia Bennett, 93, and Luard “Buck” Spurlock, 78. They were not married but had lived together as a couple for some time, Engle said.
Spurlock died of a gunshot wound to the chest and his death was ruled a suicide. Bennett died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen her death was ruled a homicide.
The shooting happened at the couple’s home in the 1300 block of 18th Street NW.
Staff writer Brynn Grimley contributed to this report.
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644, @TNTAdam
This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 7:10 PM with the headline "Elderly Puyallup couple dead in homicide-suicide."