Medical examiner releases cause of death for 2 brothers

NORTH HAVEN — The chief medical examiner released the cause of death for two brothers whom police said were found dead Sunday with gunshot wounds in a Primrose Street home.

Chief State Medical Examiner Dr. James Gill said in an email that Randall Chapnick, 72, died of gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Gill ruled Randall Chapnick’s death a homicide.

His younger brother Darrell Chapnick, 67, died by suicide, according to Gill.

Police found the brothers in Darrell Chapnick’s Primrose Street home Sunday evening after receiving reports of a possible shooting. Police said they believe the incident to be connected to a dispute over the Chapnicks’ deceased mother’s estate.

Angela Chapnick died in February, leaving half her estate to each brother but naming Randall Chapnick as executor, according to probate court records. Angela Chapnick had been living in the Primrose Street home when she died in February, according to Connecticut Probate Court filings.

The court granted Randall Chapnick administration of the estate on Aug. 3, according to the filings.

Darrell Chapnick recently had obtained a lawyer to represent him in the probate case, the records show. Attorneys for both brothers have declined to comment on the probate case.

“We’re all pretty much in a state of shock,” Primrose Street resident Janet Parkosewich said Monday about the deaths. “It’s just a tragedy.”

First Selectman Michael Freda Monday expressed his sadness regarding the incident in a statement. “This was a terrible family tragedy that involved some form of family dispute,” said Freda.