Couple Found Dead in Oxnard Condo

An Oxnard man apparently shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself during an argument Monday night at the couple’s condominium, authorities said.

The names and ages of the couple were not immediately released because county coroner’s officials were trying to notify other family members, including the couple’s daughter, who is in the U.S. Navy, authorities said.

The couple were both in their late 40s or early 50s, said city firefighters, who responded to the scene.

“It looks like he killed her, and then he killed himself,” said Oxnard Police Cmdr. Lee Wilcox. A shotgun was found near the bodies, but no suicide note was located, Wilcox said.

Police officers were called to the 3000 block of Isle Way about 6:30 p.m., after the couple’s two sons, both under 12, spotted their father through a bedroom window, city fire department officials said.

During the argument, authorities said, the father had given the boys some money and told them to walk to a nearby store. They found their father when they returned, authorities said.

“A neighbor called because the two boys were trying to break into the home because they could see the dad slumped through a sliding-glass window,” said Oxnard Fire Capt. Peter Chavez.

The couple were found on the floor of the master bedroom, Chavez said. Both appeared to have gunshot wounds to the head, he said.

Neighbors told police the couple had had ongoing domestic problems, but authorities declined to say whether they had previously been called to the home.

The boys were being cared for Monday night by the neighbor who called police.