Husband allegedly shoots and kills wife and pets Thursday morning west of Bellingham
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Lynn Heimsoth murder
Sunnyland Elementary School Principal Lynn Heimsoth, her therapy dog Sukha and the family cat were shot to death Dec. 26, 2019, at her home west of Bellingham. Kevin Heimsoth, her husband who reportedly attempted to kill himself after her death, has been charged with murder and animal cruelty.
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A woman was allegedly shot and killed by her husband in their home west of Bellingham Thursday morning, Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo told The Bellingham Herald.
The man, who also suffered a gunshot wound, is in critical condition in a hospital, according to Bev Mayhew, director of communications at St. Joseph’s hospital. He is under the sheriff’s office’s guard.
“The Sheriff’s Office does not believe that there is any generalized threat to the community that is connected to this incident,” Elfo said.
Elfo said Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a condominium at the Chartwell Estates in the 900 block of Marine Drive around 10:28 a.m. on Dec. 26 for the report of a murder-suicide.
When deputies arrived, they found a 58-year-old woman dead from an apparent gunshot wound, Elfo said. The woman’s 56-year-old husband was also found inside the apartment with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and he was taken to a local hospital, Elfo said.
The identities of the pair have not been released, pending notification of family, Elfo said.
Deputies also found a dog and cat dead from gunshot wounds, Elfo said.
The man was transferred to a different hospital Thursday afternoon and is in critical condition, according to Mayhew.
Elfo said the investigation is in its preliminary stages and no further details are being released.
Elfo said there was a shooting in the same area Wednesday, Dec. 25, but the sheriff’s office does not believe the two incidents are related.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org.
This story was originally published December 26, 2019 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Husband allegedly shoots and kills wife and pets Thursday morning west of Bellingham."
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