Elderly Couple Found Dead

The bodies of an elderly couple were found in their home Monday afternoon, and sheriff’s deputies are investigating the cause of death.

The pair, identified as Ed and Pat McCarthy, both in their late 70s, were found in their upstairs bedroom by two of their daughters-in-law who had come by to check on their welfare, said next-door neighbor Harry Parker, 79, authorities said.

Parker said he has known Ed McCarthy, a retired Air Force pilot, and his family since they moved into the neighborhood 31 years ago.

“I just talked to them Friday. I gave them some fresh tomatoes from my garden. They seemed fine,” Parker said.

Parker said the McCarthys had 10 children, all sons--eight of whom also live in Camarillo.

Parker said he and his wife, Gene, became concerned Monday afternoon when he hadn’t seen his friends all weekend. They called one of the McCarthy sons, and soon two women from the family came to the residence in the 1600 block of Dwight Avenue to check on their in-laws.

The Parkers, who had keys to the McCarthys’ house, opened it for the women.

Sheriff’s deputies, who said they had not ruled out foul play, were contacted about 5:30 p.m., according to spokesman Eric Nishimoto. Coroner’s officials were still on the scene at 10:30 p.m. and had not officially confirmed the victims’ names.