VENTURA : Deaths Ruled a Homicide-Suicide

Coroner’s investigators have confirmed Ventura police detectives’ suspicion that Rex Pratt, 79, of Ventura shot his 75-year-old wife, Francis Marie, and then shot himself, authorities said Friday.

Police suspected that the Pratts’ deaths were a homicide-suicide prompted by ill health after the couple were found dead in their bed by their gardener and a family friend at 1:45 p.m Thursday.

Both Rex and Francis Marie Pratt died of one shot to the head with a .22-caliber handgun, which was found near the bed, Deputy Coroner Dale Zentis said.

He said he did not know how long the couple had been dead before they were found at their Eva Street house.

Neighbors said Francis Marie Pratt had suffered a stroke about 15 years ago and that her husband was battling prostate cancer and a bad back. The Pratts, however, had seemed in good spirits and gave no hint of depression or frustration, they said.