Great Falls, MT: Married couple dead after alleged domestic incident

BY TRIBUNE STAFF • NOVEMBER 12, 2010

A maintenance squad commander for the Montana Air National Guard and his wife were killed in their home Thursday night, according to the Great Falls Police Department.

Police confirmed Friday that Lt. Col. Don Mahoney, a former GFPD officer, and his wife Shelly Mahoney, a teacher at Mountain View Elementary School were killed in their home Thursday evening. Sgt. Jeff Newton of the GFPD did not say who was suspected in the deaths or whether they were the result of a murder-suicide. However, he did say that police are not seeking any additional suspects.

Police responded to a domestic disturbance call from a family member at 7:45 Thursday night, Newton said. Officers found the bodies of Don and Shelly Mahoney in a bedroom. Newton also declined to say whether a weapon, if any, was involved in the deaths.

The couple have three children, who are now with relatives. No other injuries were reported, police said.

“This is a tragic event,” Newton said.

He added that the department understands the shock to the community as both were fairly well known, but that police are not able to release details of the deaths as they are still under investigation.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family members involved in this tragic incident,” Newton said. “Our thoughts go out to the family – particularly the children.”
In a press release, the Montana Air National Guard also expressed their sympathies.

“We are all in shock from this tragic event and still cannot fathom that this could happen,” Col. Pete Hronek, 120th Fighter Wing Commander said in a release. “Our focus at this time is on the family and to the many members that Lt. Col. Don Mahoney affected over his many years of service at the Montana Air National Guard.
The release further states that the MANG dining facility will be open until 5:30 p.m. tonight, with chaplains, counselors and family sup-port agencies for family members and MANG members.

Additionally, MANG will not fly its F-15 fighter jets Monday.

While the case was in the city, the county coroner responded to the scene, Rosipal said.

At least six Great Falls Police cars responded to the apparent domestic violence incident Thursday night at 3209 12th St. N.E. MANG spokesman Maj. Rick Anderson said MANG leadership was informed late Thursday that police are investigating a domestic violence incident at the home.

For more, read Saturday's edition of the Tribune