Police: Apple Valley Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Authorities say the deaths of a man and his wife at their Apple Valley home on Thursday are being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Apple Valley police were called at about 9:45 am. Thursday to do a welfare check at a residence on the 14000 block of Pennock Avenue. When officers arrived, they found two people dead inside the residence who had suffered gunshot wounds.
Authorities identified the two as 49-year-old Alan Lee Josephson and his wife, 56-year-old Lynn Marie Josephson.
Officers found a .38-caliber handgun next to the bodies, which police say was the weapon used in the incident. An investigation shows Alan Josephson fired the handgun at Lynn several times, hitting her twice. She died from a gunshot wound to the head. Shortly after, Alan Josephson took his own life with a gunshot wound to the head. The two were found next to each other.
Authorities say it's believed the incident happened at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. A neighbor told authorities they heard several "bangs" at about that time. Police say it was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.
Police say friends and family described the couple as happy and having a close relationship. Authorities say Alan Josephson had been struggling with depression.