Couple found dead hours after wedding in apparent murder/suicide
TERRE HAUTE, IN -- It was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. Instead, police say a groom killed his new bride just hours after their wedding before taking his own life.
Dr. George Scott Samson married nurse Kelly Ecker Saturday afternoon in Terre Haute, Indiana, CNN reports. Wedding guests told police there was some tension between the couple after the ceremony.
"Some guests are telling us the bride and groom didn't speak to each other at the reception," said Vigo County Sheriff Chief Deputy Clark Cottom.
Hours later, the county's 911 operator received a frantic call from the couple's home. ABC affiliate WAWV-TV released transcripts of those 911 calls.
- DispatcherKellyDispatcherKellyDispatcherKellyDispatcherKellyDispatcherKellyDispatcher
The call then promptly ended. The 911 operator tried to reconnect but wasn't able to reach the home. Just two minutes later, a second and final call came into the dispatch center.
- KellyDispatcherKellyDispatcherKelly*Multiple shots fired*
The call then came to an end.
Deputies had been dispatched to the home after the first call. They were only a couple of minutes away when the gunshots were heard during the final 911 call.
When they arrived, they were met by an elderly male relative of Samson's who directed them to Kelly's body. Police say she'd been shot multiple times.
Also in the room was Ecker's 10-year-old son. The child was unharmed as was a second elderly relative found in another part of the home.
The residents told deputies Samson had locked himself in the basement with several weapons and ammunition. Deputies surrounded the home immediately.
"The house is near a wooded area and a cornfield and we didn't want an armed man running deep into the woods," Cottom said.
Deputies sent a robot into the basement which found Samson's body near his gun safe. Deputies say it appeared he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputies still are not sure why the prominent anesthesiologist decided to kill his new bride and then himself. The couple did not have a history of domestic violence, but police said just because it wasn't reported, doesn't mean it wasn't happening.
