CROMWELL, CT — A man fatally shot his 81-year-old wife and then took his own life at a Connecticut nursing home on Friday, company officials said.
The woman had been a resident at Apple Rehab in Cromwell for three years and was shot in her room, said Michael Landi, Apple Rehab's vice president of operations.
Lundy said the woman had no roommates and no one witnessed the shooting. No one else was injured.
Police identified the couple as Barbara Brandt and her husband Dennis Brandt, 82.
Lundy said the motive was unknown and there were no known threats in the past. She said the husband appeared to have entered through the front door like any other visitor, contacted staff and then headed to his wife's room. A staff member in a nearby lobby heard the gunshots, rushed to the room and called 911.
“The staff are very upset. We have reached out to them all,” Lundy said. “There are a lot of emotions. It is well understood that there is shock and trauma.”
Counselors were brought in to assist staff and residents.
Cromwell police said in a statement that they are investigating with state police and the coroner's office.
Apple Rehab operates approximately 20 care centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Cromwell location where the shooting occurred is home to about 75 people and is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Hartford.
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Editor's note — This article contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, you can reach America's National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.
