Father of Former NASCAR Racer Robby Gordon Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

ORANGE, CA — The bodies of two people, including the father of former NASCAR driver Robby Gordon, were discovered by a neighbor in their Orange, California, home on Wednesday.

The 68-year-old father of former NASCAR racer Robby Gordon apparently took his own life after strangling his 57-year-old wife in their home in Orange, the autopsy results indicated, according to reports from Orange police Lt. Fred Lopez.

Sharon Gordon was apparently strangled and her husband death was "consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound,'' Lopez stated regarding autopsy results.

Robert Gordon, 68, and his wife, Sharon Gordon, 57, were identified by the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Coroner Division.

"The murder suicide is a possibility," City of Orange Police Lieutenant Fred Lopez said in an interview. "We are fairly confident that the deaths occurred on Wednesday."

The time between the deaths and the discovery of the bodies by the Gordons' neighbor has not yet been released. The Orange Police Department is waiting on the coroner's report for cause and time of death before more information can be disclosed.

According to the Orange County Coroner's release, both bodies were found at 5 p.m. Wednesday inside their home in the 1400 block of North Kennymead Street.

"We're fairly confident the problem is contained within the house," Lopez said. No other suspects are being sought at this time. A weapon was discovered inside the residence, but it has not yet been disclosed what sort of weapon.

Robby Gordon spoke to reporters outside the home this morning, saying the family was obviously "grieving the death of my dad, Rob, and his wife, Sharon."

"I'm sad and I can't believe it," Gordon said.

"I want to thank all of our friends in the racing community, not only the auto racing community but the horse racing community, and their incredible outpouring of support and prayers," he said. "I'd like everybody to understand this is very, very tough, and it's not only tough for me, but it's tough for my sisters ... it's going to be tough on all of us."

Gordon said his planned Robby Gordon Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks racing event will go on as planned this weekend as part of the Sand Sports Super Show at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. was among those offering condolences, writing on his Twitter account he is praying for "the Gordon family during this difficult time. Hope they find strength and support."

Anyone with information on the deaths of Robert Gordon and Sharon Gordon is urged to call the Orange Police Department at (714) 744-7444.

This is breaking news story and will be updated as more information is released.

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