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Husband, wife dead in murder-suicide; Home set ablaze, police chief says

WGAL News 8

Husband, wife dead in murder-suicide; Home set ablaze, police chief says

WGAL News 8

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Husband, wife dead in murder-suicide; Home set ablaze, police chief says

WGAL News 8

A husband and wife are dead after a murder-suicide in Berks County this morning, according to the Central Berks Regional Police Department. It happened at a home along Creeks Edge Road in Oley. The initial call was early Tuesday morning for a fire. Someone in the area smelled smoke and called it in. Due to heavy fog, firefighters were unable to find the home. But about 45 minutes later, a neighbor spotted flames and called with the location.The first firefighters found a man in an electric wheelchair in the driveway of the burning home. His wife’s body was also in the driveway. As a firefighter went to check the woman, the husband shot and killed himself, according to police. (Watch the police news conference above.)The victims have been identified as:- Joy Strunk, 62- Stefan Strunk, 62The couple had been married since they were 19-years-old. Investigators said they learned there may have been trouble in the marriage."Speaking with family and stuff like that, it sounds like there was a history of domestic issues. I'm not sure if it's physical, at this point, but at least some sort of emotional, verbal abuse, control issues and stuff like that," said Detective Sgt. Deron Manndel.Investigators said Stefan Strunk left suicide notes with instructions to take care of the family pet, but the notes provided no motive for what happened.The fire destroyed the home. Central Berks Regional Police Chief Ray Serafin said only the stone walls were left standing. According to police, Stefan Strunk set fire to the home with a blowtorch before killing himself.

A husband and wife are dead after a murder-suicide in Berks County this morning, according to the Central Berks Regional Police Department.

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It happened at a home along Creeks Edge Road in Oley. The initial call was early Tuesday morning for a fire. Someone in the area smelled smoke and called it in.

Due to heavy fog, firefighters were unable to find the home. But about 45 minutes later, a neighbor spotted flames and called with the location.

The first firefighters found a man in an electric wheelchair in the driveway of the burning home. His wife’s body was also in the driveway. As a firefighter went to check the woman, the husband shot and killed himself, according to police. (Watch the police news conference above.)

The victims have been identified as:

- Joy Strunk, 62

- Stefan Strunk, 62

The couple had been married since they were 19-years-old. Investigators said they learned there may have been trouble in the marriage.

"Speaking with family and stuff like that, it sounds like there was a history of domestic issues. I'm not sure if it's physical, at this point, but at least some sort of emotional, verbal abuse, control issues and stuff like that," said Detective Sgt. Deron Manndel.

Investigators said Stefan Strunk left suicide notes with instructions to take care of the family pet, but the notes provided no motive for what happened.

The fire destroyed the home. Central Berks Regional Police Chief Ray Serafin said only the stone walls were left standing. According to police, Stefan Strunk set fire to the home with a blowtorch before killing himself.