Officials: Police sergeant, librarian killed in murder-suicide
EAST GRANBY — An Avon police sergeant fatally shot his wife, East Granby’s library director, before turning the gun on himself Sunday, authorities said.
They were identified as Thomas Jacius, 49, and Doreen Jacius, 48. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.
The Office of the Chief
State Medical Examiner determined by autopsy that Thomas Jacius died by suicide from a gunshot wound to his head, while Doreen Jacius’ death was a homicide, officials in that office said Monday.
Doreen Jacius suffered gunshot wounds to the torso, neck and head, the medical examiner’s office said.
She was the town’s director of the East Granby Library,
according to the library’s website. Thomas Jacius was an Avon police sergeant who went by “T.J.”
“The East Granby Public Library staff and Board of Directors are shocked and devastated by the sudden loss of our Director, Doreen Jacius,” a statement posted on the website said. “She was beloved by us and the community. We grieve with the town.”
The library will be closed
Monday and Tuesday, the website said.
Thomas Jacius was an Avon police officer for almost 24 years, the department said in a news release Monday afternoon. He was an avid bicyclist who even participated in races.
“The Avon Police Department is deeply saddened by the events that have transpired and our condolences go out to the families, our friends and the community,” the release stated. It also said counseling is being offered to police department employees through the town’s Employee Assistance Program.
Troopers and East Granby officers arrived at the house on Wynding Hills Road about 6 p.m. after 911 calls reporting gunfire came in to the Troop H barracks in Hartford, state police said.
The couple owned the house since 1997, town records show.
There are no arrests or lawsuits signaling any domestic violence history, and state police said they are not aware of being dispatched to the East Granby home before Sunday.
The state police Central District Major Crime Squad continues to investigate the deaths.