An 88-year-old man killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself this morning in their Quakertown apartment, police said.
Bucks County District Attorney Dave Heckler identified the couple as Charles C. and Betty J. Christine. Neighbors and friends interviewed outside the Quakertown West Apartments said the Christines' daughter found Charles and Betty, 85, shortly after 8:30 a.m., in an apartment in Building J at 491 S. Ninth St.
Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree confirmed an 88-year-old man shot his wife in the back of the head before shooting himself in the head. He said police were dispatched at 8:40 a.m. after a family member found them.
Two neighbors and a pharmacy technician who filled prescriptions for the Christines said chronic medical conditions and recent setbacks may have contributed to this fatal outcome.
According to them: Charles suffered from heart disease and depression, and Betty had dementia and chronic back pain. In September, their apartment was flooded during Hurricane Irene, and less than two weeks ago they had to move into a second-floor apartment within the complex. Betty also fell last Thursday and broke her arm.
They said the move and Betty's recent mishap caused Charles to become overly anxious and concerned about his ability to care for his wife of 67 years. They said Charles had served in the military, but they did not know what other experience he had with guns or if he owned a firearm.
In addition to the daughter, the couple also had two sons, neighbors said.
McElree declined to specify the weapon used in the murder suicide.
Authorities believe the shooting was an isolated incident, the police chief said.
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