Posted 11:15 pm Monday, October 29, 2012
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Smith County Sheriff’s Department continues murder-suicide investigation
Smith County Sheriff’s investigators are continuing to probe a Friday night murder-suicide that unfolded after a woman was shot by her husband while attempting to retrieve some belongings from their home.
Karen Elizabeth Malone, 52, and James Milton Malone, 59, were found around 6:40 p.m. Friday at their home in the 10000 block of County Road 2661, about an hour after Mrs. Malone phoned authorities to alert them she was about to pay a visit to the home, officials said.
She was alive, but critically injured by a gunshot wound to the chest; Malone was already dead.
“They were going through a divorce,” Sgt. Ron Rathbun said. “He stayed in the house.”
Authorities said Mrs. Malone told a call dispatcher she intended to retrieve some documents from the home and her estranged husband was not supposed to be there.
Rathbun said the woman was advised by authorities to stay away if she suspected trouble.
She also was advised to call if she arrived and found her estranged husband at the location, investigators said.
“We sent a deputy to that area,” Rathbun said. “A few minutes later, no one answered” when authorities attempted to reach the woman by phone.
When the deputy arrived at the home, he found the couple inside, both shot in the chest.
Karen Elizabeth Malone, 52, and James Milton Malone, 59, were found around 6:40 p.m. Friday at their home in the 10000 block of County Road 2661, about an hour after Mrs. Malone phoned authorities to alert them she was about to pay a visit to the home, officials said.
She was alive, but critically injured by a gunshot wound to the chest; Malone was already dead.
“They were going through a divorce,” Sgt. Ron Rathbun said. “He stayed in the house.”
Authorities said Mrs. Malone told a call dispatcher she intended to retrieve some documents from the home and her estranged husband was not supposed to be there.
Rathbun said the woman was advised by authorities to stay away if she suspected trouble.
She also was advised to call if she arrived and found her estranged husband at the location, investigators said.
“We sent a deputy to that area,” Rathbun said. “A few minutes later, no one answered” when authorities attempted to reach the woman by phone.
When the deputy arrived at the home, he found the couple inside, both shot in the chest.
Emergency medical personnel transported the injured woman to a Tyler hospital where she died around 8 p.m.
“It’s a murder-suicide,” Rathbun said.
Officials are not releasing the specific type of gun, citing a pending criminal investigation.
Lt. Larry Wiginton said late Friday it appears Malone shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.
“It was a family disturbance that went bad,” he said.
Staff Writer Adam Russell contributed to this report.
“It’s a murder-suicide,” Rathbun said.
Officials are not releasing the specific type of gun, citing a pending criminal investigation.
Lt. Larry Wiginton said late Friday it appears Malone shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.
“It was a family disturbance that went bad,” he said.
Staff Writer Adam Russell contributed to this report.
