Ocala, FL: Deputies: Two dead in murder-suicide

OCALA – Sheriff’s detectives say that a man and woman found shot to death late Monday afternoon inside their southeast Ocala home were victims of a murder/suicide.

On Tuesday, detectives said they received a call at 5:26 p.m. Monday from family members who live out of town, asking that deputies do a well-being check on Woodrow Wilson Hall, 68, and his wife, Barbara A. Hall, 66, because they had been trying to call the couple since Sunday with no success.


A deputy arrived two minutes later at the brown residence with white trim at 409 SE 52nd Ave. The deputy noticed the garage door was open and heard a television on in the background. After not receiving a response from repeated knocks on the door that separates the garage from the house, the deputy entered the residence and saw the man and woman sitting on the couch in the living room, their bodies in close proximity to each other.

Based on their investigation and the results of autopsies conducted Tuesday, detectives said the man shot his wife with one handgun, then turned another handgun on himself.

There were no notes discovered in the home.

Detectives said they were told by a “friend/relative” that the couple had been arguing.

Detectives were still talking with family members late Tuesday to learn more about the couple.

Neighbors in the quiet neighborhood, located off Fort King Street, said the couple lived there for more than 10 years and were both friendly.

One neighbor said Woodrow Hall, called “Woody,” always stayed busy and worked two jobs. He said Hall was a retired school superintendent and was a contracted postmaster for a now-closed local post office a few years ago.

“I talked with him last week and he seemed fine,” the neighbor said.

Others described the couple as being very cordial and recalled Barbara walking their dog in the afternoons.

One neighbor said the Halls’ family members were frequent visitors. “It’s just hard to believe,” she said.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.