Simi Valley Couple ID'd In Rancho Mirage Murder, Suicide

NORTHRIDGE, CA —A Simi Valley woman and man were identified as the victim and suspect in a murder-suicide at a Rancho Mirage Home Sunday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced.

Kathryn Ashcroft, 55 years old, of Simi Valley, was identified as the shooting victim.

The suspect was identified as Carl Ashcroft, 61 years old, of Simi Valley, according to Sgt. Mike Kelleher's report.

On Sunday afternoon, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Palm Desert Sheriff's Station deputies answered a 911 call for a suicide attempt at the home on Lyon Street, according to Sgt. Mike Kelleher's report.

Deputies arrived within minutes and found both with gunshot wounds, Kelleher said. Carl Ashcroft was declared dead at the scene, while Kathryn Ashcroft was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

The investigation is currently ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Master Investigator Navarrete with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Evans at the Palm Desert Sheriff Station at 760-836-1600.