Couple found dead in Sun City leaves neighbors in shock
Neighbors shocked after sudden tragedy in Sun City
A murder-suicide left many speechless in a Sun City community where the family was close with many people in the area. FOX 10's Lauren Clark has more.
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - Two people were found dead inside their Sun City home on Saturday, May 10, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
Neighbors who knew them for years are speechless.
It’s a shock to their friend group–who say the two lived here for 15 years, and were very active in their retirement community and local church choir.
What we know:
Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to a home near Thunderbird Road and Del Webb Boulevard for an "unknown trouble call for service."
"An adult male and female were found inside a residence deceased. MCSO detectives are conducting an investigation into the death of two adults, 73-year -old Darlene (female) Cook and 82-year-old Harley Cook (male). There is no known threat to the community," MCSO said.
Records from the coroner confirm what neighbors gathered on the scene: that the husband killed his wife, and then later killed himself.
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Local perspective:
On Saturday afternoon, sheriff's cars with glowing sirens circled a Sun City home on West Camelot Circle.
Neighbor's cell phone video captures deputies going inside with their rifles drawn.
"It was very traumatic to know that very dear friends would do something like that," said neighbor and friend Cyndee Lafontaine, who lives across the street.
She’s struggling to reconcile their deaths after ten years of fond memories.
What they're saying:
"They were always a happy couple. Always together. If Harley or Darlene had to go to the hospital or doctor’s offices, they were always together," said Lafontaine.
She never noticed any issues in their relationship and when Darlene came to visit the day before she died, she said she was in good spirits.
"She was so excited her grandson was getting married in July, and she was so excited to go to her grandson’s wedding," said Cyndee.
While investigators are still figuring out what happened leading up to their deaths, Cyndee says she noticed something earlier that day.
Police draw guns approaching a home where a couple was found dead in a murder-suicide. (Neighbor footage provided to FOX 10 Phoenix)
Dig deeper:
"I saw Harley pull up and he got out of the pickup. He got out of the garage door and he had a piece of paper that he was looking at and slapped his hand down like this, like he was a bit upset, and about 29 minutes later, Darlene pulled up," said Cyndee.
As she’s waiting for more answers, she says she’s still trying to process it all.
"I think I am still in shock," said Cyndee. "It’s just hard, you know? Very, very dear friends. When we talked on the phone it was like, ‘hey, love you, see you later.’ ‘Love you too.’"