Santa Barbara, CA: SBSO Calling SY Incident Murder Suicide

updated: Jun 28, 2010, 3:18 PM

Source: SBSO

Santa Barbara--Santa Barbara Sheriff's Detectives are investigating the discovery of two bodies in a Santa Ynez Valley home as an apparent murder-suicide. Members of the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Team discovered Guy Sydney Erway Jr. (DOB 10/25/61) and his wife, Ruth Jochum Erway (DOB 1/12/68) inside the couple's home on Friday, June 25, 2010.

Although it appears Mr. Erway shot Mrs. Erway before shooting himself, this case is still considered open as Sheriff's Detectives continue to gather facts in their investigation. The Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau is expected to perform autopsies on both bodies this week.

The original News Release from Friday, June 25, 2010 is shown below.

Man and Woman Found Dead in Santa Ynez Residence Sheriff's Office Releases Identities of Couple

Santa Barbara-The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office has identified the couple found dead in a Santa Ynez residence as Guy Sydney Erway Jr. (DOB 10/25/61) and Ruth Jochum Erway (DOB 1/12/68).

At approximately 11:02am on Friday, June 25, 2010, Sheriff's Dispatchers received a report of a verbal argument occurring at a home at 3440 Manzana Street in Santa Ynez. Shortly after, the Sheriff's Dispatchers received information that gunfire was heard inside the private residence.

Sheriff's Deputies attempted, but were unable, to make contact with anyone inside the home located near the end of a cul-de-sac. Deputies immediately formed a perimeter around the home and closed off nearby streets before summoning the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Team, better known as S-E-T or the SWAT Team.

Homes in the immediate area were evacuated as the Sheriff's Office made repeated attempts to contact anyone inside the home. Members of S.E.T. eventually entered the residence where they discovered the deceased married couple shortly after 1:15pm.

Sheriff's Detectives and the Sheriff's Forensics Team gathered evidence through much of the day. The Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau removed the bodies this evening. Earlier in the day, Animal Control removed two dogs from the residence that did not appear to be harmed.

The Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau will continue to work on the couple's cause of death, while Sheriff's Detectives investigate the circumstances of the incident. If any more information becomes available, it will be released on the Sheriff's News Line at (805) 681-4138.