Man commits suicide by shooting himself in the head - but ends up killing sleeping wife with same bullet



An American who committed suicide by shooting himself in the head ended up killing his wife with the same bullet.

Depressed Gene Whitmore, 70, lay down next to his sleeping wife Betty and placed a gun to his head.

He fired a single shot, but police said the bullet went through his head and struck his 66-year-old wife.

Tragic: A police officer opens the door to the Wichita, Kansas home of Gene and Betty Whitmore after he committed suicide - accidentally killing his wife in the process

Their bodies were found just two feet apart.

Police in Wichita, Kansas, initially thought they were dealing with a murder-suicide.

But after an autopsy it was revealed the same medium calibre bullet had killed the couple who were married for more than 40 years.

Wichita Police Lieutenant Ken Landwehr said: 'I have never worked anything like this before.. The bullet has travelled from his head from right to left and struck his wife.'

Landwehr said there was no indication Whitmore meant to harm his wife.

He was known to be depressed after losing his job a year ago.

Crime scene: The Whitmores' home in Wichita. Police said it appeared clear that Mr Whitmore did not intend to kill his wife

Police believe he waited until his daughter and her family, who were staying in their modest home, were asleep before retrieving his handgun.

As his wife slept next to him Whitmore laid down next to her and committed suicide.



Family members said they did not hear any gunfire in during the night.



The couple's bodies were discovered by their daughter the following day when they failed to rise for breakfast.

Neighbours of the couple said they were shocked by their deaths.

Stacy Lopez said: 'There was no hint of any problems. He was the type who always took in stray cats. I can't believe this.'



