Elderly couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide in Newton
Location of the home where the incident occurred.
NEWTON -- An 86-year-old man used a knife in what authorities described today as a murder-suicide, fatally stabbing his 86-year-old wife in the neck before cutting his own throat.
Police found the couple dead early this morning, lying in the same bed in the white, wood-shingled Colonial on a tree-lined side street where they have lived for many years. Investigators found a note near the bodies of Jane Cooper Wyman and William Wyman that made it clear what occurred, authorities said.
"We believe that this was a murder-suicide and that Williams stabbed his wife and himself," said Lieutenant Bruce Apotheker of the Newton Police Department.
The husband apparently telephoned a relative early this morning and advised them of the plan. The relative called police about a possible murder-suicide, and officers responded to 290 Woodland Road at 5:30 a.m.
Police forced their way into the home and found the couple. The husband used a knife with a 3-inch blade, Apotheker said.
Police had previously responded to the home near Lasell College last Thursday for a well-being check. No additional information was available about the call, including who asked police to check on the couple.
Police have never responded to the home for domestic violence or any other type of criminal activity, Apotheker said. The killings disturbed the quiet neighborhood, which is just off Route 16.
"Newton is a safe community," Apotheker said. "This is not a common call for us."
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