2 bodies found in Post Falls
<p>Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug discusses the findings of the initial investigation of two bodies found Thursday at 509 East 11th Avenue. The homeowners discovered the bodies after checking on the tenants they were attempting to evict.</p>
POST FALLS - The dead bodies of a male and female with single gunshot wounds to the front of their heads were found inside a Post Falls home on Thursday night.
A pistol was found inside the home at 509 E. 11th Ave. between the two bodies, both white and believed to be in their middle ages.
"We're not looking for a third suspect," Post Falls police Chief Scot Haug said. "There is no indication that anyone else was involved. The evidence we have indicates all the violence occurred right here inside the home."
Police are expected to release the names today.
"The bodies are badly decomposed," Haug said. "Neighbors report that it's been eight to 10 days since they've seen anyone, but we haven't spoken with all of the next of kin to see if anyone has seen them since then. The evidence inside the house indicates the bodies have been there at least a week, maybe longer."
A neighbor said Jeff Hayes and his girlfriend, who was not identified, have been residing at the home.
Haug said the landlord was in the process of evicting the renters from the home. Haug didn't know the name of the landlord.
"He posted a notice about a week ago and he came back tonight because he hadn't heard anything," Haug said, adding the notice was still posted on the door on Thursday. "When he knocked and no one answered, he opened the door found a female body against it. He immediately backed out and called us."
When police arrived at 5:15 p.m. with medical personnel, the bodies of the female and a male were found inside.
"We observed a handgun laying between the two bodies," Haug said. "The female had a cell phone in her hand, and the gun was on the floor near her. The male was several feet away near the hallway."
Haug said late Thursday that it was too early to call it a murder-suicide.
"Until the investigation is complete, we don't want to put a label on this," Haug said.
When responders determined the two were dead, detectives obtained a search warrant to enter the home to investigate and the property was bordered off.
The preliminary investigation indicates there were no obvious signs of drugs or alcohol in the home, nor did the residence appear to be in disarray. No note was found.
Haug said police responded to the home in 2008 for a verbal dispute in which the female renter was cited for drugs and drug paraphernalia. In March this year, police responded to a domestic dispute. No arrests were made in either incident.
Haug said he can't recall a murder-suicide that has occurred in Post Falls for at least 25 years.