Deaths In Montana Fire Ruled "Mercy Killing"

HELENA, Mont. - Authorities investigating a house fire north of Libby say the elderly couple who lived there were actually the victims of a murder-suicide.

Coroner Steve Schnackenberg identified the couple as Ted and Swanie Hardgrove. Both were 81.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Capt. Roby Bowe says Ted Hardgrove shot his wife, lit the fire that destroyed the home and then shot himself on Saturday morning.

Bowe said Wednesday that police found a letter written by Ted Hardgrove that led police to conclude it was a mercy killing.

Bowe says Swanie Hardgrove suffered from cerebral palsy and was in a great deal of pain, and that her suffering had grown intense in the days leading up to the shooting.

Bowe says authorities don't believe anybody else was involved.

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Permalink Reply by ff/emt 2155 on September 3, 2010 at 6:17am

how sad! the freakin junkies can go to all the doctors in the land and get all sorts of scripts for px meds, then go hustle them on the black market, and here was a lady who more than likely needed px meds just to cope with everyday life, and some stingy ass dr would prob not give them to her.
the poor spouse couldent take her quality of life anymore,along with some crappy health care, and did what he thiught was best for the both of them.
having been deployed to the coroner's office for 10yrs i had the op to see alot of that, how sad my prayers to any family member who has to endure this.