Santa Cruz Co. Couple Found Dead In Murder-Suicide
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY (BCN) - A Santa Cruz County married couple died Thursday as a result of an apparent murder-suicide, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said.
Responding to a report of a shooting in the area of Lucca Lane and Soquel Drive in an unincorporated area of the county, deputies found two victims of gunshot wounds lying on the ground near the road.
One victim, James Baum, 61, was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Gayle Mozee Baum, 54, was alive but unresponsive. She was taken to Dominican Hospital where she later died of her injuries.
According to witness interviews and evidence collected at the scene, which included the handgun used in the shootings, officials believe that Gayle Baum shot and killed James during an argument, then turned the gun on herself.
The couple had recently separated and James was living near where the couple was found, according to reports officials gathered through friends and family of the couple.
The sheriff's office was continuing its investigation and anyone with information about this case is asked to contact them at (831) 454-2311 for the investigations division, (831) 471-1121 for dispatch, or (831) 454-2847 for the anonymous tip line.
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