By CASEY RYAN VOCK and ANDREA VanVALKENBURG
Contributing Writer, Staff Writer
March 27, 2010 03:28 am
MORRISONVILLE — State Police say Patrick and Rose Maynard died during an apparent murder-suicide, but investigators are still trying to determine who killed whom.
The couple was found deceased in their home at 1797 Route 3 at about 7:30 a.m. Friday by their oldest daughter, Stephanie, who had been contacted by one of Mrs. Maynard's co-workers after she failed to show up to work at Clinton Correctional Facility Friday morning, according to State Police investigators.
"The scene is consistent with an apparent murder-suicide," State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Lieutenant Brent Davison said at a news conference early Friday evening.
"The final ruling on that is pending a complete investigation to include processing of the scene, autopsies of the deceased, along with the ruling from the coroner as to the manner of death."
Davison said investigators were still working to determine which person died first, but he said both Mr. and Mrs. Maynard "appear to have died from gunshot wounds.
"The results of the investigation will end up telling us who died first," he said.
Investigators wanted to inform the public of the nature of the incident to swiftly quell any concerns about public safety.
"We don't want the public in fear that this was a double murder, that there is a murderer out (on the loose) or that they should feel alarmed. We don't feel there is any threat to public safety."
An autopsy on Mrs. Maynard's body was scheduled for early Friday evening and the autopsy on Mr. Maynard's body is scheduled for this morning.
A handgun was recovered at the house that appears to have been involved in the deaths, Davison said.
"I can't comment any further on a make, model or serial number," Davison said.
He said the gun was not registered to Mr. Maynard, 48, a correction officer at Clinton Correctional Facility, nor Mrs. Maynard, 47.
"Neither one of them have a pistol permit. Obviously, (Mr. Maynard) is a corrections officer, so he can possess handguns other than (on) a pistol permit."
While the exact time of the deaths was still being determined Friday, Davison said Mrs. Maynard was seen walking Thursday evening, "as she normally did."
Due to the fact that the Maynards' oldest daughter contacted State Police upon finding her parents Friday morning, Davison said it is likely that the deaths occurred sometime between Thursday evening and early Friday morning.
Investigators are not aware of any previous criminal history for either of the Maynards.
"Both of them were employed at Clinton Correctional Facility, so as far as any criminal history, it doesn't appear that they had any," Davison said.
He pointed out that the Maynards are well-known in the community and have large families and plenty of friends.
Investigators will be interviewing those close with the couple as they work to learn what caused the tragedy.
"We will check the background of the couple, find out what their relationship was like and try to determine what the state of their marriage was, whether it was good, whether it was on the rocks. We'll talk to people that knew the couple — family and friends — and try to determine what their relationship was like and what could have led to something like this."
Those who knew the Maynards spoke highly of the couple and their two daughters.
Their youngest daughter, Andrea, traveled home from St. Lawrence University after being told the devastating news.
Mr. Maynard had more than 25 years on the job as a correction officer, according to the Department of Correctional Services.
Mrs. Maynard had served as a civilian counselor since 2001. She has been active in the community through the years, especially with Girl Scout programs and a number of fundraisers and marathons.
Sources told the Press-Republican the couple had been having marital problems for several months and were reportedly considering a divorce.
Both were still living at the residence at the time of their deaths.
E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com
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