Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Walton, NY: 2 Dead In Murder-Suicide

Walton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) - A relationship takes a deadly turn in Walton.

65-year-old Daisy Schultz was shot to death in her apartment around 10 Sunday night.

74-year-old Richard Utter of Norwich is the only suspect.

Police say he shot and killed himself.

Action News reporter Natalie Jenereski explains how the murder-suicide is sending shock waves through the community.

Walton police say the two seniors had been dating since Fall of last year.

That's until Schultz and Utter were found dead inside her upstairs apartment at 32 Union Street.

The woman who lives directly below Schultz says twice, she heard her friend yell out "no."

Then, she heard gunshots and a loud pound on the floor.

That's when she called 9-1-1.

Neighbors watched as Police searched the crime scene for answers.

"I just have a scanner and I heard gun shots, they reported gunshots at 32 Union Street. I went out and watched it. Police came out, Sheriff, village cops, everything. A lot of people," said Arthur Furgerson, a neighbor of Schultz's.

"Walton is a pretty small town. Something like this doesn't happen here, it's pretty shocking to everyone including the police department," said Brian Laauser, Patrolman for the Walton Police Dept.

In a small town like Walton, where everyone knows their neighbor, it seems little was known about Utter.

"She was a nice-looking woman. Blonde, nice looking. This guy just came out of nowhere. She been alone there all along, you can ask anybody, and all of a sudden this guy appears out of nowhere," said Furgerson.

Schultz's husband died 5 years ago.

Police are investigating what could have caused the 74-year-old to kill his girlfriend of less than one year.

What they do know, is that Utter's wife died almost one year ago.

In Walton, Natalie Jenereski, WBNG-TV Action News.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Walton Police Department is being assisted by the Delaware County Sheriff's Department and by New York State Police.

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