Warren, AR: Regional library director, wife found dead of an apparent murder-suicide

The director of the Southeast Arkansas Regional Library and his wife were found dead in their Warren home Tuesday morning, apparently from a murder-suicide.

The bodies of Kim Patterson, 64, and his wife, Sandra, 52, were found in a sitting room off the main bedroom of their home at 316 East Cedar Street, according to Lt. Shaun Hildreth, a criminal investigator with the Warren Police Department. Mrs. Patterson had suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper torso and Mr. Patterson had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, Hildreth stated. He confirmed that a gun was found on the scene, but declined to specify what kind.

Hildreth said that an acquaintance of the couple, who found it unusual that she had not heard from Mr. Patterson Tuesday morning and could not reach him, contacted police and asked them to check on the couple. All of the couple's vehicles were parked at the residence.

When police arrived at 9:20 a.m., Hildreth said, they found the door unlocked and lights on inside the residence. They entered around and discovered the bodies.

At this time, Hildreth told the Advance, police believe Mr. Patterson shot his wife then turned the gun on himself. The investigation is continuing, he said, and the bodies have been taken to the state crime lab in Little Rock.

As regional library director, Patterson was a leader in the campaign to pass a half-cent sales tax to construct a new library at the intersection of Jefferson and Main streets. Bids are set to be opened on the building next month.

The regional library board has set an emergency meeting for 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 12).