The Athens County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible murder-suicide that occurred Monday morning.
Robert Nusser, 68, called 911 about 9 a.m. Monday, saying that a murder-suicide had occurred at a Millfield residence, according to a sheriff’s office news release.
When asked what happened, Nusser said, “I’m the one that caused it.”
The call then ended after three pops were heard, but Sheriff Pat Kelly declined to confirm whether those sounds were gunshots.
The sheriff’s special response team entered the residence about 9:35 a.m. and found Nusser dead in a living room chair and his wife Paulette Nusser, 64, dead in bed. Robert and Paulette had a single gunshot wound each, according to the release.
Kelly said Nusser killed his wife before making the 911 call and killed himself soon after.
Last month, sheriff’s deputies served the Nussers with an eviction notice, followed by another one Sunday informing the couple that they must vacate the residence, according to the release.
The sheriff’s office serves local residents with eviction notices “quite frequently,” Kelly said, adding that the banks determine what properties are foreclosed.
Kelly could not speculate whether the couple’s financial troubles motivated the possible murder-suicide.
Five suicides have occurred in the past year, but Kelly said murder-suicides are uncommon in the area.
The Nussers’ family members were notified of the deaths yesterday and were en route to Athens at press time.
rc348710@ohiou.edu
The audio has been edited to remove personal information such as the Social Security number and address.
