Spring, TX: Illness may have had role in Spring couple's deaths

Neighbor says husband had terminal leukemia
By AIMEE BURAS
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Sept. 20, 2010, 11:48PM

A 75-year-old man who killed himself and his Alzheimer's disease-stricken wife was suffering from terminal leukemia, a neighbor said Monday.
William and Dawn Kruse, 73, were found dead in Spring after an apparent murder-suicide, authorities said.
Neighbor Robin Lent said both suffered from life-threatening illnesses.
"They were in and out of the hospital," Lent said. "When I heard he had leukemia, I knew it wasn't good at his age."
Officers discovered the couple at 11 a.m. Sunday in bed in their home on the 18300 block of Theiss Mail Route. William Kruse had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the torso and his wife was killed by the same gunshot, authorities said.
Another neighbor, Suzzette Kirchner, remembered them as affectionate and loving.
"They were always busy outside," Kirchner said. "Always sitting together and holding hands."
Lent said she was shocked when she heard about the deaths. "They were lovely people and it's just too sad," Lent said.
aimee.buras@chron.com