Police confirm shooting was a murder-suicide
Shocked neighbours continue to try and understand a murder-suicide that left a couple dead at a property about 30 kilometres northwest of Peterborough known as Freedom Ranch.
On Thursday the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP released the names of the couple found shot to death at the Spen Haven Road home on Sunday morning.
The death of Wendy Allan, 51, is being treated as a homicide. Also dead was her husband John Allan, 63.
The couple had three teenaged children Police were called to the home about 9:25 a.m. and found the couple dead from gunshot wounds.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the woman’s death was the result of a homicide, police said, and on Thursday police confirmed they are now treating it as a murder-suicide.
On Tuesday, neighbours were reluctant to comment as they said did not wish to speculate on what happened, but noted the family has kept dozens of animals of many kinds on the 50-acre property for many years.
The Allans were private and mostly kept to themselves, they said, but would exchange pleasantries with people in the neighbourhood when they saw them.
One neighbour described the response from police on Sunday morning was swift and efficient.
“There were (officers) everywhere; the road was shut down right away.”
On Monday, OPP said there was no threat to public safety in relation to the shooting.
Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes officials said several animals that were removed from the property after the shooting are currently being cared for at the shelter. They include 15 dogs, six cats, four rabbits and a budgie.
As well, officials said about 100 large animals (livestock) are being cared for at the property. All of the animals’ care will be overseen by animal welfare staff on the family’s behalf until a decision is made on their future.
The investigation is ongoing by the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP major crime unit and the OPP Central Region forensic identification services, under the direction of Det. Insp. Matt Watson of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).