Officials Say Deaths of Couple Appear to be Murder, Suicide

DULUTH (AP) -- Sheriff's officials say the deaths of a couple whose bodies were found in a  northeastern Minnesota home appear to be a murder-suicide case.

The St. Louis  County Sheriff's Office says family members and co-workers went to check on the two at their home in Grand Lake Township Monday after they failed to show up for work.

Officials say a preliminary investigation shows 62-year-old Loretta Billman and 55-year-old Robert Kerr died of gunshot wounds. Autopsies will be performed by the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Anoka County.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension crime scene unit helped collect evidence.