Woman, man die in murder-suicide in upstate New York, cops say

Perth, NY — A woman and a man died in a suspected murder-suicide this week in upstate New York, police said.

The investigation began at 8:24 a.m. Monday after a 911 caller reported hearing gunshots outside 245 Voorhees Road in Perth, New York State Police said in a news release. Perth is a small town in Fulton County, about 23 minutes northeast of Schenectady.

When police arrived at the bungalow, they found two people dead in the backyard: Barbara J. Lawrence, 76, and Guy E. Lawrence, 75.

A handgun was found near Guy Lawrence’s body, police said.

“The preliminary investigation determined that both individuals died from gunshot wounds,” police said, “and the crime scene was consistent with a murder-suicide.”

Guy Lawrence and Barbara Lawrence were married, a state police spokesman told the Times Union.

The investigation remains open, police said. State police did not immediately say what the motive or circumstances of the shooting were.

If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, seek help by:

• Call 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Helpline
• Visit the 988 website, where online chat and messaging are available
• Text “Got5” to 741-741