UPDATE: Police identify people involved in apparent murder-suicide

April 7, 2018 1:24 pm

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Police have identified the Warwick roommates involved in an apparent murder-suicide over the weekend.

Colonel Stephen McCartney of the Warwick Police Department told ABC6 News that the victim, 54-year-old Donna Dutton, was shot in the back of the head. The suspect, Joseph E. Schlink, 58, was also found in the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Police responded to the Fern Street at around 8:30 a.m. for reports of an unresponsive female inside the home. Upon entry police observed the two deceased middle-aged adults, in an apparent murder-suicide.

Col. McCartney says Schlink was an Air Force Vet who suffered from PTSD.

Police say Dutton replied to an advertisement by Schlink on social media for a room that was for rent and with him for two months prior to her death.