Monday, June 4, 2012

Miami Township, OH: Couple who died in murder-suicide identified

MIAMI TWP. - A husband and wife died in a murder-suicide Sunday following a domestic violence call to their Miami Township home, according to Miami Township Police Chief R. Steven Bailey.

They were estranged and seeking a divorce, he said.

The couple, identified this morning as Debra Babb, 39, and Robert Babb, 42, were found dead of multiple gunshot wounds on the second floor of the home, said Police Chief Steve Bailey in a prepared statement.

Officers were called to the residence at 1263 Eagle Ridge Dr. about 1:40 p.m. to investigate a possible domestic violence situation.

When police arrived, the residents of the home did not answer the door and police could not get any response to repeated telephone calls to the home and cell phones.

The couple's 13-year-old daughter called police after she went outside the house to check on her dog, and found all the doors of the home locked when she returned a few minutes later.

She said she could not get a response from her parents by knocking on the doors or calling their cell phones.

After speaking with her and neighbors, Miami Township Police learned that the homeowner had a number of firearms in the home and had made threats of violence to his wife in the past.

It was not the first time police were called to the residence due to a domestic violence situation. A third party who was not at the home called them in December 2011 after the couple argued. Both parties were separated and the situation was mediated. No physical injuries were apparent or reported. No arrests were made.

Then, just a few months ago, Debra Babb called police were called to the home to standby while she removed some personal items.

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