Married couple dead after apparent murder-suicide in Athens County

GLOUSTER, Ohio (WCMH) — A married couple has died in what authorities suspect may have been a murder-suicide in Athens County.

Amy Smathers, 54, and Jack Smathers, 59, were found dead at about 2 p.m. on Monday after authorities were called to the couple’s home on South Poplar Drive in the village of Glouster, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office. The call was made by a family member reporting concern for the couple.

The sheriff’s office said there was no evidence of forced entry to the home and detectives concluded that the married couple was in the process of filing for divorce. Evidence indicates that the man died of an apparent suicide by drug overdose.

Injuries to the woman are undetermined at this time and will be confirmed by autopsy and toxicology reports, according to the sheriff’s office. Her death is being investigated as a homicide, with her husband as the sole suspect.

Detectives found no evidence to suggest a threat to the community or involvement of any other persons. The sheriff’s office said no further information is available at this time.

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