Double Murder-Suicide: Woman, Daughter And Pet Dog Killed By Man Who Later Shot Himself

Three people and a dog were found dead in a home in Strathcona County, Canada, in what appears to be a case of double murder-suicide.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police responded to a home, in the area of Township Road 520 and Range Road 222, on early Monday morning after receiving a 911 call reporting about a man with a firearm.

“Our members responded immediately, ensured the safety of the public, accessed the residence, and located three deceased people,” Supt. Dave Kalist, detachment commander of Strathcona County RCMP told local media.

“There was another family member in the home. They left the property and they were the one who phoned 911,” Kalist said. “To protect the public, the area was contained, traffic was diverted and nearby residences were evacuated.”

Upon arrival, the police found a woman and child along with a dog dead inside the house. A man was also found dead inside the house.

The deaths of a 55-year-old woman, identified as Lois Antonia Paterson, and her 13-year-old daughter, whose name was not revealed, were ruled a homicide.

The man, identified as 53-year-old Greg Gartner, a tax attorney with Moodys Tax in Edmonton was also found dead at the scene and according to the police, he died as a result of a self-inflicted injury.

“I can confirm that a mother and a daughter died of a result of homicide and a male as a result of a self-inflicted injury,” Kalist said.

According to the police, all three members belonged to the same family. However, the relation between the man and the two victims was unclear.

“Because the RCMP does not anticipate that this incident will result in criminal charges, we are limited in the information that we can provide to the public,” Kalist said.

The police confirmed that the firearm used in the slaying was not prohibited or restricted and that it was legally owned.

“The Moodys Tax team is shocked and saddened by the tragic events regarding the loss of a colleague and his family,” the company said in an email statement sent to local media. “It is impossible for any of us to comprehend the heartbreaking event that occurred yesterday,” the statement read.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.