Man Who Allegedly Shot Ill Wife Freed

A 67-year-old Thousand Oaks man who allegedly shot his ailing wife last week in an apparent assisted suicide was released from custody Tuesday.

Earl Lindquist was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder and booked into the county’s main jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

He was released after prosecutors told Ventura County Superior Court Judge Art Gutierrez that they were not prepared to file criminal charges. Deputy Dist. Atty. Patricia Murphy said authorities need a month to investigate the case and told Gutierrez she did not oppose Lindquist’s release.

“Based on the facts of this case, he does not seem to pose a danger to the community,” Murphy said.

Lindquist is accused of fatally shooting his 60-year-old wife, Janet, as she lay in bed Friday morning at the couple’s Arbor Lane condominium complex.

Sheriff’s officials said Lindquist admitted to the shooting when officers arrived.

Neighbors described Lindquist as a devoted spouse who cared for his seriously ill wife, who was reportedly in constant pain.

Murphy said coroner’s officials determined that Janet Lindquist was suffering from a rare neurological disorder. She said the shooting appears to be an assisted suicide.

Earl Lindquist is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Feb. 25.