Friday, August 10, 2012

Salem Township, PA: Domestic Dispute Ends in Murder-Suicide

A husband and wife are dead in an apparent murder-suicide stemming from a domestic dispute late Thursday in Salem Township.

The Columbiana County Sheriff's Office responded to 428 Egypt Road just after 10 p.m., where witnesses said Tracie Hensley, 49, and Greg Hensley, 47, began arguing because Tracie arrived home late from work.

The witness told police Greg Hensely left the bedroom area where the argument took place and returned to the kitchen with a semi-automatic pistol. The witness tried to disarm Greg, but was unable to do so and Greg then opened fire on his wife, killing her.

Police said Greg Hensley then turned the gun on himself.

"The stepfather who was there, one of the other adult males attempted to stop him from entering the kitchen area with the handgun, was unable to stop him," said Columbiana County Sheriff Ray Stone.

The sheriff said the couple's 15-year-old daughter was in the house when the shooting happened, but she and the other witnesses were not harmed. He also said his office has not received any domestic calls pertaining to the couple.

Stone said police are not familiar with the couple and it rumored they are from out of state. Police said Tracie was employed, but Greg was not.

Both victims were dead when deputies and an ambulance arrived at the scene, according to a police report. Officers found four or five shell casings in the house.

The incident still is under investigation.

Family members of Tracie Hensley said she was a "wonderful, caring daughter, sister, mother and grandmother." She has three children and five grandchildren.

Family members said she always put others first. They also urged anyone in an abusive relationship to act on it and get out.

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