Officials: Clinton couple who died after explosion in their home committed suicide

CLINTON — The couple who died as a result of an explosion at the Evergreen Springs trailer park committed suicide, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Leo Hinkley, 64, and his wife, Candace, 61, died last week from injuries suffered in a Sept. 21 explosion at their Balsam Place home

Leo Hinkley died of thermal burns and Candace Hinkley died of complications of thermal injuries, according to a spokesperson at the Office of The Chief Medical Examiner.

“The criminal investigation into the event determined that both victims were suffering from very serious medical and health issues prior to the explosion and recently had become very depressed,” a news release from Clinton Police Sgt. Jeremiah F. Dunn said.

“Prior to succumbing to her injuries, Candace Hinkley made a statement to a Clinton Police detective that the pair had previously planned to kill themselves together and that her husband had been manipulating the gas-fire fireplace a day prior, in an attempt to asphyxiate the couple,” the release said.

The Clinton Police Department began receiving calls shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 reporting a loud explosion and homes being shaken. At approximately 12:34 a.m., a fire was reported at the Evergreen Park Complex located on Killingworth Turnpike.

Police departments in Guilford, Madison, Old Saybrook and Clinton, and State Police Troop F in Westbrook received similar calls regarding an explosion, Dunn told the Shoreline Times immediately after the incident.

The state fire marshal and local fire marshal are continuing to investigate the incident.