Donna, TX: Elderly Donna couple killed in murder-suicide

Monday, December 21, 2009 at 4:58 p.m.

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An elderly Donna couple killed in an apparent murder-suicide were both reported to be terminally ill.

Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call at the Palm Shadows RV Park off Val Verde Road outside Donna around 1:40 p.m. Monday.

Sheriff Lupe Treviño said the elderly couple’s bodies were killed in an apparent murder-suicide.

Treviño told Action 4 News that the RV park manager used a pass key to get into the couple’s home after not hearing from them in a day and a half.

Deputies recovered a weapon used in the couple’s deaths.

Sheriff Treviño said both the man and woman had contact gunshot wounds to their heads.

Treviño said both of them were in their 80s and terminally ill.

Investigators have not released the couple’s names pending notification of next of kin.

Treviño said deputies are interviewing neighbors and others to establish a timeline and develop clear background information about the couple.

For the moment, investigators believe the couple's terminal illnesses were the motive in the murder-suicide.

Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Bobby Contreras ordered an autopsy for the couple.

Preliminary results are not expected back until later this week.