MONTGOMERY—Less than a mile from a sign in front of the Montgomery Fire Department in memory of a tragedy that befell the town last month, another tragedy hit the small community–an apparent murder-suicide Monday morning.
The Hampden County District Attorney’s office has released the identities of the two deceased that died in an apparent murder-suicide that occurred at 123 Main Road in Montgomery Monday, as well as additional details to the incident.
The location of 123 Main Road in Montgomery, where authorities reported that an apparent murder-suicide had occurred Monday morning.
According to a press release from the Hampden County District Attorney, authorities reported the two victims as Jeffrey Houston, 68, and Janice Houston, 65.
A dog was also reportedly shot.
“The deceased, lying side by side in bed, were identified as Mr. Jeffrey Houston, 68, and his wife Janice Houston, 65, both of 123 Main Road, Montgomery, Mass. Lying next to them, also suffering from a gunshot wound, was their dog,” a portion of the press release read.
Jeffrey Houston was found in possession of a firearm when police discovered the scene.
A closer image of the 123 Main Road location in Montgomery, where authorities reported that an apparent murder-suicide had occurred Monday morning.
According to the press release, Jeffrey Houston—who authorities later identified—called police at about 9:30 a.m. on Monday and said that “he had just killed his wife and was about to kill himself,” according to the District Attorney’s office.
Massachusetts State Police responded to the address on Main Road, with additional units including a State Police hostage negotiator, the District Attorney’s office and the State Police Special Tactical Operations Team.
Police made “numerous attempts” to “establish contact with the occupant of the house,” including phone calls and a loud speaker, but the press release said that these were unsuccessful.
After authorities were unable to contact a resident of the home, they reported that they “breached” the front door of the residence. The State Police Special Tactical Operations Team entered the home and began a search, which was when they discovered the two victims.
Two additional firearms were found and secured during the sweep of the home, in addition to the one found in Jeffrey Houston’s possession.
During the search and other activity, Main Road was closed for several hours by authorities.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the incident remains under investigation.
No motive was mentioned in the press release.
