Community
Update to Murder-Suicide Investigation
Incident Summary
The Petaluma Police Department began investigating an apparent murder-suicide which occurred at a residence in the 800 block of Echo Ct at approximately 4:00 PM on March 28, 2019. The investigation began after officers were dispatched to the residence for a report of a family member who arrived at the home and located their parents unconscious and covered in blood inside the residence.
Officers arrived at the residence and located an adult male and an adult female on the ground inside the residence. Both of the subjects appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds, and both were confirmed to be deceased. At that time there did not appear to be any outstanding subjects and there was no threat to the surrounding neighborhood. Officers secured the residence, established a crime scene, and requested our Investigations Unit respond to the scene.
Petaluma Police Detectives responded to the residence and their investigation revealed that this incident appears to have been a murder-suicide. Detectives located a handgun at the scene and were able to determine that the male subject had shot the female and then shot himself. There has been no evidence uncovered to suggest that this was a pre-planned incident or that the subjects had entered any sort of suicide pact.
After working with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Coroner, the subjects were positively identified on April 2, 2019 as 76-year-old Richard Stewart and 75-year-old Patricia Stewart. Richard and Patricia were married and resided at the residence where this incident occurred.
During this investigation, Detectives learned that the Petaluma Police Department had responded previously to the Stewart’s residence on October 1, 2018 for a report that Richard had been making suicidal statements and was seen loading a firearm. Officers responded to the residence and made contact with both Richard and Patricia. Officers took Richard for a mental health evaluation and two handguns were seized from their residence pursuant with 8102 W&I. Those handguns still remain in the custody of the Petaluma Police Department. The handgun involved in this incident was not registered to either one of the Stewart’s and information developed during the investigation has indicated they acquired it unbeknownst to law enforcement.
Recently, throughout Sonoma County there have been several similar tragic incidents. The Petaluma Police Department would like to encourage community members to seek available resources from organizations such as Petaluma People Services or Sonoma County Behavioral Health. For more information go to petalumapeople.org or call (707) 765-8488. Resources for Sonoma County Behavior Health are available by going to http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Behavioral-Health/ or calling (707) 565-4850.
If you or someone you know is in distress, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Media inquires may be directed to Lieutenant Brian Miller at (707) 778-4368 or Detective Sergeant Paul Gilman at (707) 778-4415.
Update to Murder-Suicide Investigation 
Incident: Update to Murder-Suicide Investigation
Report Number: 19-1206
Occurred Date : 03-28-2019
Occurred Time: 4:08 PM
Location: 800 block of Echo Ct., Petaluma
Incident Summary
The Petaluma Police Department began investigating an apparent murder-suicide which occurred at a residence in the 800 block of Echo Ct at approximately 4:00 PM on March 28, 2019. The investigation began after officers were dispatched to the residence for a report of a family member who arrived at the home and located their parents unconscious and covered in blood inside the residence.
Officers arrived at the residence and located an adult male and an adult female on the ground inside the residence. Both of the subjects appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds, and both were confirmed to be deceased. At that time there did not appear to be any outstanding subjects and there was no threat to the surrounding neighborhood. Officers secured the residence, established a crime scene, and requested our Investigations Unit respond to the scene.
Petaluma Police Detectives responded to the residence and their investigation revealed that this incident appears to have been a murder-suicide. Detectives located a handgun at the scene and were able to determine that the male subject had shot the female and then shot himself. There has been no evidence uncovered to suggest that this was a pre-planned incident or that the subjects had entered any sort of suicide pact.
After working with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Coroner, the subjects were positively identified on April 2, 2019 as 76-year-old Richard Stewart and 75-year-old Patricia Stewart. Richard and Patricia were married and resided at the residence where this incident occurred.
During this investigation, Detectives learned that the Petaluma Police Department had responded previously to the Stewart’s residence on October 1, 2018 for a report that Richard had been making suicidal statements and was seen loading a firearm. Officers responded to the residence and made contact with both Richard and Patricia. Officers took Richard for a mental health evaluation and two handguns were seized from their residence pursuant with 8102 W&I. Those handguns still remain in the custody of the Petaluma Police Department. The handgun involved in this incident was not registered to either one of the Stewart’s and information developed during the investigation has indicated they acquired it unbeknownst to law enforcement.
Recently, throughout Sonoma County there have been several similar tragic incidents. The Petaluma Police Department would like to encourage community members to seek available resources from organizations such as Petaluma People Services or Sonoma County Behavioral Health. For more information go to petalumapeople.org or call (707) 765-8488. Resources for Sonoma County Behavior Health are available by going to http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Behavioral-Health/ or calling (707) 565-4850.
If you or someone you know is in distress, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Media inquires may be directed to Lieutenant Brian Miller at (707) 778-4368 or Detective Sergeant Paul Gilman at (707) 778-4415.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372