The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has released the names of a woman and her husband who died in Napoleon Township as the result of a murder-suicide.
Margaret Jean Sanford, 73, has been identified as the woman who died at a home in the 5500 block of Clarklake Road. She had not been seen for several days, and police were doing a welfare check. When police arrived they saw a woman in the home who was not moving.
A man was seen in the house, but wouldn't come to the door or respond to officers. He was later identified as Roger Sanford, a 62-year-old man. Sanford was known by law enforcement from previous incidents and had a history of mental illness and was known to be in possession of firearms. The joint city-county strategic response team was activated to help with the situation.
After an extended period of time, during which repeated efforts were made to communicate with Sanford, police entered the home and found that both Roger Sanford and Margaret Sanford were dead. Margaret appeared to have been deceased for several days, and Roger had taken his own life during the standoff.
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The Jackson County Sheriff's Department is investigating a possible murder-suicide that happened Friday evening.
Deputies were called to a home on the 5500-block of Clark Lake Road around 7:30 p.m. to check on an elderly woman.
A man living at the home refused to allow deputies inside.
Deputies eventually made their way into the home and found that the man had killed himself.
The elderly woman had been dead for some time.
Authorities say both the man and the woman suffered gunshot wounds. The investigation is ongoing.
