Official: Danbury couple died in murder-suicide
DANBURY — The man and woman found shot dead inside a home on Clayton Road Monday afternoon died in a murder-suicide, a city spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
The couple were married and had three children, who are between the ages of 9 and 13, according to Erin Henry, a spokesperson for the city. Henry said it was not immediately known who fired the gun and autopsies were planned for Tuesday.
“At the present time, it appears one of the two shot the other and then turned the gun on themself,” Henry said. “An autopsy is being performed today to help determine further details.”
Henry said the children are being cared for by family members. She said police believe the children were not home at the time, but are still unsure of the time the shooting occurred. Henry said the city was not going to release the identities of the couple “out of respect for the children and family members.” The couple was between the ages of 30 and 40, she said.
“I’m deeply saddened by the heartbreaking tragedy that took place on Clayton Road and I pray for the children and family,” Mayor Dean Esposito said in a statement Tuesday. “We must help each other and come together as a community during these trying times.”
A gun was recovered at the scene and was legally owned, Henry said.
The deaths mark the first homicide in Danbury since the deaths of a local mother and her three children, who also died in a murder-suicide, over the summer.
By Tuesday morning, police had already removed the yellow caution tape around the home about halfway down the dead-end street, which sits off Jeanette Street in the city’s north side.
With the crime tape removed, the single level home appeared much like the rest of those lining the street just after 9 a.m.
A basketball hoop stood to the side of a white Nissan SUV parked in the driveway. Recycling bins were filled and ready for the taking along-side stuffed bags of raked leaves.
A neighbor who declined to give their name said the couple and two or three school aged children moved in a few months ago after purchasing the home which had been renovated by a contractor living down the road.
The neighbor said they would wave but never made a formal introduction to the young family, adding that they frequently saw the kids playing outside and just the week before had watched the children heading to the school bus.
City records show the property was purchased in August for $420,000 after it was foreclosed on in 2012 and 2004.
A few days before detectives knocked on their door, the neighbor said a lit Christmas tree had appeared inside the window of the home.
A little after 3 p.m. on Monday, Danbury police officers responded to the home for a wellbeing check, after a caller told police that family members had not seen or heard from the residents since
Sunday, a statement from police said.
“Upon arrival the officers discovered two adults, one male and one female unconscious on the floor of a basement bedroom, both with gunshot wounds to the head,” said the statement, released Monday afternoon. “Fire and EMS personnel responded but both victims were deceased.”
“At this time, we believe this is an isolated incident but it is an active investigation,” the statement from police said.
Ward 2 City Councilman Vincent DiGilio said Tuesday afternoon that he didn’t have any more information beyond what police had released, but said he knows “they’re handling it and dispersing information that they feel is appropriate.”
“I definitely feel for the families and the children and what they’re going through at this time,” he said.
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Danbury Police at 203-790-TIPS.
To connect with a certified domestic violence advocate, whether you need services or just someone to talk to, visit CTSafeConnect.org
or call or text 888774-2900. If you think your computer usage might be monitored, call or text the phone number. Advocates are available 24/7.
Anyone who has thoughts of harming themselves, or seeks access to free and confidential mental health support, can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 800-2738255 (en Español: 888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing dial 711 and then 988) or visit 988Lifeline.org. People in need can also text the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.