Investigation confirms deaths as murder-suicide | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Investigation confirms deaths as murder-suicide

RCMP on scene at the Hartnell Rd. residence where two bodies were discovered Monday morning.

By Charlotte Helston

The death of a Vernon couple has been deemed a murder-suicide. Sheena Neifer, 29, and Gregory Neifer, 30, were found dead in their home early Monday morning near the top of Hartnell Rd. They were husband and wife and parents to two young boys.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said Gregory Neifer shot his wife then committed suicide. A gun was discovered at the scene.

"The investigation has determined that the two died as a result of gunshot wounds," RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said.

The Neifer's two children, both under ten, and the mother of one of the deceased, were escorted from the home on Monday by RCMP. Molendyk said none of the three were harmed.

The children were in the house when the shooting took place. "They were sleeping," Molendyk said. 

It was someone in the home that phoned the police Monday morning around 1:40 a.m.

Molendyk said a small personal grow-op was found on the premises. "There was an indication it was for medicinal purposes," he said.

Nearby residents say they have smelled marijuana in the area, and speculate the deaths were somehow drug related.

"There is no direct connection here with drugs," Molendyk said, adding the Neifers were not known to police. "Our investigators are talking with family members and following up to determine what led to this tragic event."

Molendyk said the shooting occurred inside the house and posed no danger to nearby residents.

"The RCMP want to ensure the public at no time was there any danger to anyone else in the neighbouring area."

Officers from the South East District Major Crimes Unit are continuing to work with the B.C. Coroners Service in the investigation of the murder-suicide that has left two children in its wake.

"It's very tragic when these children's lives are changed by what happened," Molendyk said.

The RCMP is asking anyone who might have heard shots being fired on Hartnell Road late Sunday night or early Sunday morning to please call the Vernon RCMP at: 250-545-7171

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230

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