Husband, wife found dead in apparent murder-suicide in Dale

A husband and wife were found deceased late Tuesday night as a result of what State Police detectives believe was a murder and suicide.

At 10:52 p.m. CST Tuesday, concerned acquaintances of a Dale couple asked the Spencer County Sheriff’s Department to check on the welfare of 74-year-old William Lamar and his wife, 68-year-old Martha Lamar.

After numerous attempts to get Mr. and Mrs. Lamar to answer the door of their home, deputies forced their way into the residence. They found Mr. Lamar deceased in the living room and Mrs. Lamar deceased in the kitchen.

State Police detectives and crime scene investigators were contacted to lead the investigation. Investigators believe both had died of apparent gunshot wounds, and a handgun was found lying next to Mrs. Lamar.

Detectives believe that given the state in which the scene was found, both had died on or around June 29. Further information gathered at the scene lead detectives to believe that Mrs. Lamar had shot and killed Mr. Lamar before taking her own life.

According to authorities, both died from a gunshot to the head.

Investigators are considering this case closed.

The Indiana State Police was assisted at the scene by the Spencer County Sheriff’s Department, the Dale Police Department, and the Spencer County Coroner’s Office.