Fayetteville police investigating apparent murder-suicide

Fayetteville police are investigating the deaths of an elderly couple found shot to death in an apparent murder-suicide.

In a news release, Fayetteville Police Chief Greg Tabor said the bodies of Richard E. Guthrie and wife Elizabeth S. Guthrie, both ninety years old, were found inside their west Fayetteville home at 5657 Reliance Street Wednesday morning.

Tabor said both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds and that Richard Guthrie’s injury appeared to be self-inflicted.

Guthrie reportedly made contact with his grandson before the incident and warned him of his plan to shoot himself and Mrs. Guthrie. The grandson then called Fayetteville police who arrived at the scene at approximately 11:17 a.m.

According to multiple reports, Mr. Guthrie had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and his wife, Elizabeth, suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Tabor said the investigation is continuing and that more information is expected to follow as the case progresses.


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