Post Falls, ID: Police Calling Post Falls Deaths Murder-Suicide

The Post Falls Police Department says a couple with a history of domestic violence died in what's now being called a murder-suicide.

A landlord found the bodies of 38-year-old Christina Mandriguez and 54-year-old Jeff Hayes in their home Thursday. Police say Hayes and Mandriguez each died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

“The fact of who shot who we're not talking about right now. We have an indication of what happened but we want to make sure we gather all the evidence," Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug said. The couple had been together for more than 15 years, had split up and got back together. Records show Post Falls police had responded to at least two domestic violence calls at the house.

“To have this thing happen is a real eye opener to the public that domestic violence is a significant issue in our communities,” Chief Haug said.

The last time neighbors remember seeing the couple was on October 17th or 18th. Their landlord showed up Thursday to serve an eviction notice and found their decomposing bodies.

“It was a tragedy; he'll definitely be missed in the community. It's hard to believe that he was involved,” Jeff’s former co-worker Bill Smiley said.

Smiley works at Lew's Smokehouse at the Stateline. It's where Jeff once worked and still made weekly visits.

“He was kind of a private man. Just always upbeat no matter how stressed out you were. He's always making light of the situation,” Smiley said.

Back in 2005 Jeff shot and killed a man who tried robbing the store. Jeff thought the robber had a gun but it turned out to be a toy replica gun. Jeff was never charged and quit the job a few months later. Now the police tape is back up, this time on Jeff's front lawn and many are left asking why.

“We'd like to know what was behind it,” Bill Smiley said.

Post Falls police say they hope to complete their investigation by next week.