Murder, suicide caused death of elderly Chattaroy couple, medical examiner says

An adult couple who died in their home east of Chattaroy have been identified as Susan and Scott Bishop.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a suspicious death on Oct. 8 placed by the Bishops’ son, according to court documents.

The son told police his father had dementia and had grown more paranoid after he stopped taking his medication earlier this summer.

His mother was supposed to fly to Virginia to see her brother that morning, court documents show.

Susan E. Bishop, 71, died of a gunshot wound to the head, and the Spokane County Medical Examiner listed her manner of death as homicide.

Scott G. Bishop, 72, died from a contact gunshot wound to the head, and the medical examiner listed his manner of death as suicide.

The son told police his parents had no recent fights or threats made against them.

The incident is still under investigation, said Cpl. Mark Gregory.