Authorities Identify Petaluma Couple Who Died In Murder-Suicide

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police and the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office on Tuesday positively identified a man and a woman who died in an apparent murder-suicide last week in a home on the city's east side. Police believe husband Richard Stewart, 76, shot his wife Patricia Stewart, 75, and then himself at their home in the 800 block of Echo Court.

Officers responded at about 4 p.m. Thursday, March 28 after a family member reported finding their parents unconscious and covered in blood inside the home located in a cul-de-sac, according to the Petaluma Police Department.

Investigators found no evidence the shooting was pre-planned or that the couple made a suicide pact, Petaluma police Lt. Brian Miller said in a news release.

A handgun was found at the home, with the police investigation further revealing that officers previously responded Oct. 1, 2018 to the same residence when someone reported that Richard Stewart was making suicidal comments and was seen loading a gun.

Police said officers confiscated two guns that day and took Richard for a mental-health evaluation. According to police, when officers responded Thursday to the home, those guns were still in police custody.

"The handgun involved in this incident was not registered to either one of the Stewarts and information developed during the investigation has indicated they acquired it unbeknownst to law enforcement," Miller said.

The Petaluma couple's deaths happened just one day after another elderly couple living in a camper trailer at a remote, coastal Sonoma County campground were found dead in what authorities also believe was a murder-suicide. Earlier in March, a Santa Rosa couple who'd recently separated also died in what police determined was a murder-suicide.

"Recently, throughout Sonoma County there have been several similar tragic incidents," Miller said."The Petaluma Police Department would like to encourage community members to seek available resources from organizations such as Petaluma People Services or Sonoma County Behavioral Health. ... If you or someone you know is in distress, please call 911 immediately."

Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-273-8255.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.