Man, 89, Allegedly Kills Ailing Wife, Shoots Self

An elderly man allegedly killed his wife Sunday morning and then shot himself in an apparent attempt to relieve the despondent couple of failing health, authorities said.

Herbert Tucker, 89, who authorities said was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, was in critical condition at Antelope Valley Hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper body, said Deputy Michael Irving of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Tucker’s wife, Frances Tucker, 86, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, was pronounced dead at the couple’s home in the 4800 block of West Avenue L-12, Irving said.

Deputy Bob Killeen said no charges were filed against Herbert Tucker on Sunday because of the severity of his condition. If Tucker’s condition improves, he would probably face murder charges, Killeen said.

The slaying and apparent suicide attempt occurred shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday, Irving said.

The couple’s daughter, who was visiting her parents at the time of the shooting, told deputies that she was asleep in the house when she heard a gunshot coming from her parents’ bedroom, Irving said.

The daughter went to the bedroom and found her father holding a gun in his hand and her mother suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper body, Irving said.

When the daughter ran to the telephone to call authorities for help, she saw her father shoot himself in his upper body.

The daughter, whom police would not identify, is not considered a suspect, Irving said.

The Tuckers were longtime residents of the neighborhood, said Matt Farris, who lives next door to the couple’s single-family home.

Times special correspondent Sharon Moeser contributed to this story.