Murder-Suicide Paxil & Remeron 09/03/1999 Texas Man Strangles Wife: Shoots Self Summary:

A member of the Prozac Survivor's Support Group has confirmed that this man was taking Paxil & Remeron at the time of the murder-suicide. 
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Richardson couple found dead at home

Man strangled his wife, shot self, police believe

03/26/99

By Jason Sickles / The Dallas Morning News

RICHARDSON - An elderly couple regarded as fixtures in their north Richardson neighborhood were found slain in their home Thursday night in what police said appeared to be a murder-suicide.

Police found the bodies of Morgan and Voldene Eoff after a 911 call from the couple's son, who peered through a window and saw his mother on the floor after getting no answer at the front door. Investigators said they believe Mr. Eoff, 70, strangled his 69-year-old wife, then shot himself with a rifle or shotgun.

"Everything right now points in that direction," said Richardson police Lt. Michael Hauver. Police found no signs of forced entry and evidence of only a minor struggle in the kitchen, where Mrs. Eoff was found.

"She may have been taken completely by surprise," Lt. Hauver said.

Investigators knew of no motive late Thursday, and said they had no record of previous calls to the address on Fox Creek Drive. But police said relatives indicated that Mr. Eoff may have had a history of depression.

The killings stunned neighbors, who said they had no idea that Mr. Eoff might have battled depression.

"That's why we're all shocked," neighbor Mike Scott said. "They always had a smile."

Neighbors said the couple had lived in the subdivision for at least 10 years and were very involved in neighborhood activities.

"They would sell lemonade when we had our neighborhood park parties," said Pam Polsky. Neighbors also recalled the couple bringing their grandchildren to participate in neighborhood Easter egg hunts and Fourth of July parades.

Mr. Eoff, who neighbors said was retired from a computing job at Southland Corp., and his wife were both involved in the neighborhood crime watch. Mrs. Eoff also was part of an informal women's group that met twice a month for coffee or lunch.

"They were always willing to go out of their way to help neighbors," said Glen Atchley.

Thursday's incident was the fourth such occurrence in the Dallas area in less than a year involving elderly couples.

In December, Pauline Butcher, 81, and Jessie Butcher, 88, were found shot to death in their Pleasant Grove home in what police said was a murder-suicide. Mr. Butcher was reportedly seriously ill and was increasingly relying on his wife to take care of him and the household.

In June, police found the bodies of 75-year-old George Rives and his wife, 72-year-old Virginia, in a bedroom of their Lancaster home. Each had been shot three times. The Dallas County medical examiner's office confirmed the deaths were a murder-suicide. Mr. Rives, who police said fired the shots, had cancer and had developed heart problems.

In May, Pedro Ravelo, 76, shot and killed his wife Virginia Ravelo, 72, before turning the gun on himself in the living room of the couple's Far North Dallas apartment. That shooting happened days before the couple's 37th wedding anniversary.

Staff writer Andy Kehoe contributed to this report.

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