Man, 74, Kills Ailing Wife, 69, Then Himself
An elderly North Hollywood man, apparently despondent about his wife’s failing health, shot and killed her, then took his own life late Saturday night, police said.
Ralph C. Harter, 74, and his wife of 46 years, Dorothy M. Harter, 69, were found dead in the bedroom of their home in the 7400 block of Lemp Avenue by the couple’s son, Ronald Harter, police said.
Harter went to his parent’s home Saturday night after he became concerned when his telephone calls were not answered.
Police said that Dorothy Harter was suffering from depression and that the couple had previously attempted suicide. Ralph Harter left a 15-word handwritten note apologizing for his actions, officers said.
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