Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Dayton, OH: Murder-suicide supported by evidence, police say

By Lucas Sullivan | Monday, February 1, 2010, 01:18 PM
DAYTON - A city homicide detective said evidence found during the investigation of a couple found dead last weekend is consistent with that of a murder-suicide as first alleged by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

Frederick Williams’ brother found him barely breathing Saturday, Jan. 30, and Williams’ long-time partner, Sylvia Phillips-Ivy, dead about 9 a.m. Saturday at 1721 Kipling Drive, according to police and 911 audio.

It appears Williams, 52, who was pronounced dead shortly after his discovery, was the aggressor in the shooting, police said. Phillips-Ivy, 57, was dead when police arrived, investigators said.

Williams died from a gunshot wound to the head, while Phillips-Ivy was shot multiple times, according to the coroner’s office.

“We don’t have any reports of any previous domestic-violence issues with either deceased person,” lead homicide detective Sgt. Gary White said. “Apparently they have lived together off-and-on for a number of years. Their families considered them to be a couple.”

White said additional family members are being interviewed to get an accurate picture of the couple’s relationship. He would not elaborate on what evidence led to the determination of a murder-suicide.

There were no reported incidents by police at the home in more than a year, according to police records.

Phillips-Ivy is the city’s fifth homicide this year. Click here to check the status of all homicides since 2008.

Share your memories of and condolences for Sylvia Phillips-Ivy and Fredrick Williams.

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