Couple dead in murder, suicide

J.D. Sumner Staff Writer

FORT GAINES - A domestic problem turned deadly Monday in the streets of Fort Gaines as authorities say a woman was killed downtown by her estranged husband, who then killed himself.

Neither of the two had been officially identified by authorities late Monday afternoon, as the notification of next-of-kin was pending.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special-Agent-in-Charge Mike Lewis said that the woman was believed to have been killed by her husband in what he called a murder/suicide.

According to Lewis, the woman had filed for a temporary protective order earlier in the morning and was completing some work downtown when authorities believe she was spotted by her husband.

The woman is believed to have been driven into by her husband, who authorities say then got out of his vehicle, shot and killed his wife, and then turned the weapon on himself.

Authorities with the Clay County Sheriff's Office said that the identities of the husband and wife were being withheld.

Calls to Patuala Circuit District Attorney Craig Earnest weren't returned before press time.