Monday, June 1, 2009

Final Moments Of Meriden Murder-Suicide On Audio Recording

MERIDEN



Courant Staff Report

May 29, 2009

MERIDEN —


The final moments of Wednesday's murder-suicide here were captured in an audio recording of a 911 call made by James Canty, who is heard sobbing uncontrollably and apologizing.

Canty, 37, and Michelle Barrows, 32, were found dead in the lower level of their Spice Hill Drive home moments after the phone call. Police released a recording of the call Thursday.

Both Canty and Barrows died of gunshot wounds to the head, and the medical examiner's office ruled Barrows' death a homicide.

"I'm sorry. Please come to my house," Canty said through high-pitched sobs. The dispatcher taking the call asked him to calm down. Canty continued sobbing and apologized again.

"Hello? Hello?" the dispatcher said. "I don't know what's going on."

Five "bangs" are heard, followed by silence.

Family and friends identified Barrows as the daughter of Wayne Barrows, a man killed in a quadruple homicide in Southington in 1996, according to published reports.

Meriden dispatchers initially thought that Barrows placed the 911 call, Meriden police Sgt. Glenn Milslagle said, but detectives reviewed the recording and determined Thursday that it was Canty on the phone.

Investigators are interviewing relatives and neighbors to determine a motive for the killings.

•An Associated Press Report is included in this story

Copyright © 2009, The Hartford Courant

No comments: