Whatcom deputies respond to murder-suicide over medical costs

Whatcom County deputies responded to a home near Ferndale Thursday morning, after a man called 911 to tell officers he was going to shoot his wife and himself.

The 77-year-old caller left instructions for law enforcement, then hung up around 8:23 a.m. When deputies arrived at 8:38 a.m., they found the couple exactly where the man instructed, along with a series of notes.

“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,” said Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo. “Help is always available with a call to 911.”

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The 911 call came from a home in the 6500 block of Timmeran Lane, near Ferndale. A 77 -year-old man told the dispatcher “I am going to shoot myself” and that “we will be in the front bedroom.” Dispatchers attempted to keep the man on the line, but he hung up anyway.

After arriving on the scene, deputies attempted to contact the man inside the home by phone and a loud speaker for an hour. A crisis negotiator was also called in. Eventually, a robot with a camera was used to enter the home. The 77-year-old man was found dead from a gunshot wound. His wife, 76, was beside him, also dead from a gunshot wound.

Many notes were left at the home, explaining that the wife had ongoing medical issues and that the couple did not have financial resources to pay for treatment and care.

Two dogs inside the home were taken to the Humane Society. The notes also detailed the next of kin for officials to contact. Deputies are contacting those parties.

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