Authorities Say Piatt County Incident Was Likely Murder-Suicide

Authorities confirm that members of a couple in Piatt County that were subject of a lengthy standoff Thursday each died of gunshot wounds to the chest, and that the incident was likely a murder-suicide.

County Coroner Debbie Robbins says autopsies were conducted Friday morning on 64-year old Roger Sharp and 59-year old Shirley Sharp. Their bodies were found when investigators entered the home in rural White Heath about 9 PM on Thursday. Robbins said it's not entirely clear how long they had been dead.

State Police Lieutenant Tad Williams said after receiving an initial distress call around 4 PM, the Piatt County's Sheriff's Department reached a man by phone believed to be Roger Sharp, who told authorities his wife was dead.

Several police agencies responded to the incident, evacuating nearby residents until 10 PM.