Tragedy Strikes Tuscarawas County in Suspected Murder-Suicide
A quiet community was rocked by tragedy on June 1 when a suspected murder-suicide claimed the lives of a local couple just hours before a graduation celebration was set to begin. According to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, 64-year-old Robert Houston fatally shot his wife, 53-year-old April Houston, before taking his own life inside their home on Gordon Road NW, between Dover and Sugarcreek.
The Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 1:36 p.m. from a woman who was at the Houston residence helping prepare for a graduation party. She reported hearing gunshots and quickly realized a violent incident had occurred inside the home. According to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell, the graduating student—believed to be a relative of the Houstons—was not home at the time of the shooting.
Deputies arrived swiftly at the scene and discovered Robert Houston deceased on the bed and April Houston on the floor nearby. Dover Fire Department personnel attempted life-saving measures on April before she was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton. Tragically, she was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office was joined by its crime scene technician, the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office, and detectives as they began a detailed investigation. Sheriff Campbell stated that while the case remains under investigation, early evidence and witness statements strongly point to a murder-suicide.
“While there is still evidence to process and information to gather, preliminary indications suggest that murder-suicide is the most likely cause due to evidence and witness statements at the scene,” Campbell said in an official statement.
Because April Houston was pronounced dead in Stark County, the Stark County Coroner’s Office will take the lead in determining the official cause and manner of her death. The Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office will oversee Robert Houston’s death investigation.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on what should have been a day of joy and celebration. Friends, family, and the wider community are now left reeling from the loss. No further information has been released about the couple’s relationship or any possible motives behind the tragic events. Authorities are continuing to collect evidence and interview individuals close to the family to piece together what may have led to this devastating outcome.
In the wake of the tragedy, mental health professionals urge families experiencing stress, conflict, or mental health struggles to seek help. Resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) and local crisis intervention services are available 24/7.
The Sheriff’s Office has not announced any upcoming press conferences or further releases but emphasized that they remain committed to a thorough and respectful investigation.
As the community mourns, neighbors and friends have begun leaving flowers and messages of condolence near the home. Many are offering support to the student whose graduation day turned into a day of unimaginable loss.
This incident marks yet another reminder of the urgent need for ongoing mental health awareness, domestic violence prevention, and community outreach. As investigators continue their work, the Tuscarawas County community grieves and searches for healing amid a deeply painful tragedy.
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