Winlock, WA: Coroner says wife, mother was shooter in Winlock murder-suicide

By Tony Lystra / The Daily News | Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:00 pm | No

Apparent double murder and suicide shocks neighbors in Winlock
A 65-year-old Winlock woman shot her husband and 18-year-old son early this week, then turned the gun on herself, the Lewis County coroner said following an autopsy Thursday.
Cathy Lee Walter appears to have shot her husband, Rodney Walter, 57, three times in the head and her son, Devon Walter, once in the head, Coroner Warren McLeod said.
Cathy Walter died of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, McLeod said.
The Lewis County Sheriff's Office characterized the case Wednesday as a murder-suicide, but investigators do not yet know what lead to the shootings.
"Someone got pushed to the edge here for some reason, and we need to find out why," Sheriff Steve Mansfield said Wednesday.
Sheriff's officials declined comment Thursday.
The Walters' grown daughter discovered her deceased family members Tuesday night in their home at 314-61 Frost Road. The family's three dogs and a cat also were dead.
The daughter, who has not been identified, drove from her home in the Tacoma area to check on her family after they stopped returning phone calls, the sheriff's office reported. Authorities said the Walters were last heard from Sunday.
Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield said evidence suggests the Walters had been dead for "a couple days" when they were discovered. There was no sign of forced entry at the house, investigators said.
The shootings shocked neighbors, who said nothing seemed amiss at the Walter residence.
Neighbors described Cathy Wallace as a throwback to the 1960s who wanted to be in tune with nature. She built ponds on the property, where Muskovy ducks and goats roamed, and put up a sign designating the lot as an official wildlife refuge, Morse said.
Devon Walter wrote on his Facebook page that he was born in Florence, Ore., and moved to Winlock when he was 11. A few friends posted Facebook messages following news of his death.
"I will miss you so much. I wish I could give you just one last hug and see you smile and hear you laugh just one more time," one girl wrote.
A boy wrote: "R.I.P. You will be missed."
Winlock School Superintendent Richard Conley said Devon Walter's name was not found in any district records, and it appears he was never attended Winlock schools.
Authorities and neighbors said they believe Devon Walter was home-schooled.
District officials had been concerned that Winlock High School students who knew the teenager would be grieving over his death and were ready to put students in contact with counselors and pastors.
"So far we have not had any reaction out of the high school students," Conley said. "So I'm not sure he (made) friends with any of our students. And if he did, we're not seeing any indication of that at all."