Athens County couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide
A couple were found dead early Friday morning in Millfield in Athens County in what authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide.
Jennifer Draper, 40, died of a single gunshot wound after a dispute, according to the Athens County sheriff's office. Her partner, whom she lived with, then committed suicide, police said. He's been identified as Christopher Roach, 43, of Leon, West Virginia.
Deputies responded to a residence on McDougal Road and found the couple dead inside after dispatchers received a 911 call with an open line at 5:08 a.m. Friday, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
Upon arriving, no one answered the door. The sheriff's office said the deputies then entered the residence through an open back door. Detectives were notified and responded to process the scene, the release said.
Evidence shows a dispute took place before Draper was killed, according to the sheriff's office.
Autopsies, as ordered by the coroner in Athens County, will be conducted by the Montgomery County coroner’s Office, the release said, which noted the investigation into the apparent murder-suicide is ongoing.
Monroe Trombly covers breaking and trending news for the Dispatch. He can be reached at mtrombly@dispatch.com, or give him a follow on Twitter; @MonroeTrombly.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Athens County couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide
