Police believe an elderly southeast Iowa man killed his wife, then himself, because he felt they would be a “burden” on family members.
A news release from the Jefferson County Attorney identifies the pair as 79-year-old Franklin Neff and 75-year-old Enola Neff.
Reporter Mike Buchanan in Ottumwa says police were notified on Monday morning that there was likely a shooting in the couple’s home in Packwood.
“Deputies confirmed that (Franklin) Neff made two phone calls to family and friends that he had shot his wife and was going to kill himself,” Buchanan said. Deputies arrived at the home and found both had gunshot wounds to the head and a handgun next to Franklin.
During a search of the home, deputies found a note Franklin Neff wrote that indicated he and his wife were suffering from “health issues,” and he didn’t want them to be “a burden” on family.
(By Mike Buchanan, KBIZ, Ottumwa)