Apparent murder-suicide in Fremont leaves 2 people, dog dead

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A Fremont man is suspected of shooting and killing a woman and a dog before turning the gun on himself, authorities said Tuesday.

The people killed over the weekend were identified as 49-year-old Holly Lynn Dreyer and 56-year-old Steven Floyd Howard, according to the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau.

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A firearm that’s believed to have been used in the killing was found in close proximity to Howard, police said.

Officers arrived at a home on the 37800 block of Third Street at 5:09 p.m. Saturday to do a welfare check on the couple, police said. Family members reported they hadn’t heard from the pair for two days.

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Police reportedly forced entry into the home and found Dreyer, Howard and a dog dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Investigators determined the slaying was a murder-suicide based on evidence at the scene and statements collected from family members and neighbors, police said.