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Officials investigate murder-suicide

By Caroline Trowbridge - | Oct 10, 2001

A rural Leavenworth County man apparently shot and killed his wife last weekend, before turning the gun on himself.

According to Leavenworth County sheriff’s Major Dave Zoellner, Gary L. Scott, 61, shot his wife, Betty L. Scott, 69, and then himself at the couple’s home in the 23000 block of George Road, northwest of Tonganoxie. A 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was used in the shootings, Zoellner said.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact time of the shootings, but the couple’s bodies were discovered about 6:30 p.m. Sunday by a Realtor, who planned to show their house to prospective buyers. The couple had lived in their rural home since last October, Zoellner said.

They last were seen alive about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and results of an autopsy conducted on Monday indicate the shootings occurred Saturday afternoon.

“They didn’t go to church on Sunday,” he said. “The Sunday newspaper was still in the driveway. She was reading a Saturday newspaper.”

When the Realtor arrived, he entered the home, discovering the bodies in the living room.

“It’s my understanding the house was unlocked, the lights were on and the TV was going,” Zoellner said.

“When he got there, the door was open but the storm door was closed. He knocked and knocked and hollered but no one came to the door. He opened the door, and stuck his head in.”

That’s when he discovered Gary Scott’s body on the living room floor. Apparently Scott had shot his wife, as she sat in a recliner.

“She was apparently watching TV and reading the newspaper,” Zoellner said. “She could have been sitting there asleep that’s also possible.”

The investigation into reason for the shooting continues, Zoellner said Tuesday.

Funeral services for Scotts are pending with Maple Hill Funeral Home in Kansas City, Kan.