Elderly couple found dead in Westville home

Police have launched a murder investigation and an inquest following the deaths of an elderly couple at their home in Wellington Road, Westville on Thursday morning.

The names of the deceased have not been released as yet and details surrounding their deaths have not been confirmed.

ALS Paramedics spokesman Garrith Jamieson said they received a distress call from a resident on Wellington Road, Westville North at about 11.30am.

“Our team was immediately dispatched and upon their arrival, they encountered a gardener, who reported being unable to enter the property. He informed the paramedics that he had discovered two individuals lying in a pool of blood on the dining room floor.

“ALS Paramedics swiftly gained entry into the residence, where they found an elderly male and female, both appearing to be in their eighties, with fatal gunshot wounds. Tragically, both victims displayed no signs of life and were pronounced deceased at the scene,” said Mr Jamieson.

He said shortly after their arrival at the scene, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrived and the paramedics handed over the incident to them.

“At this juncture, the precise circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear, and the SAPS will be conducting a thorough investigation into the matter,” said Jamieson.

SAPS spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said while they were still investigating the matter, it did not appear to be a robbery as nothing had been taken from the scene.

“We are investigating a murder and have opened an inquest docket for a possible suicide,” said Colonel Netshiunda.