Suspected murder-suicide investigated by Tippecanoe coroner, sheriff’s office

This story was updated to add new information.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A deputy checking on the well-being of a couple in their 80s on Saturday discovered what they suspect is a murder/suicide scene, according to a Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office official.

A deputy was asked to check on the couple who lived in the 4200 block of Division Road about 12:35 p.m. Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Inside the house, deputies found a man and a woman — David Hoshaw, 85, and Marie Hoshaw, 82 — sitting in chairs in the home’s living room, according to officials. They also found a long gun believed to be used in the killings.

Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello indicated autopsies were performed Tuesday. She will release the preliminary findings after she notifies the family of the results.

The sheriff’s office public records from the weekend did not indicate a homicide in its calls for service or its media summary. The Journal & Courier asked Sheriff Bob Goldsmith why the call was not in the public record.

Goldsmith investigated and determined a process glitch caused the call not to appear in the public records. He is correcting the mistake.

Anyone struggling with thoughts of self-harm may call 988, which is a 24-hour hotline for help.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Suspected murder-suicide discovered by Tippecanoe sheriff’s deputies