WELL KNOWN MARTIN COUNTY COUPLE SHOT AND KILLED IN AN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE; LEAVES FAMILY MEMBERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY SHOCKED

SHERIFF SAYS WIFE WAS THE ONE WHO PULLED TRIGGER, CLAIMS IN SUICIDE NOTE BOTH WERE DEPRESSED OVER MOUNTING MEDICAL BILLS AND HEALTH CONCERNS AND THEY DIDN’T WANT TO BE FURTHER BURDEN TO FAMILY MEMBERS

OCTOBER 28, 2018 – written by WADE QUEEN

A community area in Western Martin County is in shocked sadness after residents woke to the news that a well known and well liked elderly couple had been found dead via gunshots in what was alleged of apparently a murder suicide.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Department, on early Saturday morning October 27, the county 911 dispatched service received a call shortly after 2:30 A.M. that an elderly man and his wife had been found dead, with both of them having gunshot wounds, in their home in the 8000 block of Tomahawk Road.

Sheriff John H. Kirk identified the couple as Walter Dutton, and his wife, Mandy Dutton. Their age were not given in the reporting.

Police investigators say just before 2:30 Saturday morning Mandy shot and killed her husband Walter. Officers say not long after that, she took her own life.

Sheriff Kirk stated he knew the couple well, especially Mandy Dutton, as she had worked as a dispatcher for the sheriff’s office for many years in Martin County.

Kirk said the Duttons had become severely depressed while dealing with mounting health issues and medical bills, said by those who knew them. Kirk further stated that both Mandy and Walter Dutton were really good people who loved their family and did not want to burden them with medical bills and health concerns.

There will be a memorial service for both of them on Monday at Crum Funeral Home from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.