Married Couple Identified In East County Murder-Suicide

SANTEE, CA — An elderly couple died in a murder-suicide over Memorial Day weekend in San Diego's East County, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

A man and woman were found dead around 11:25 a.m. Sunday in their home in the 300 block of Lantern Way in Santee, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. They were identified as 82-year-old David Soulner and his wife, 79-year-old Claire Soulner.

"The autopsies in the case have been completed," sheriff's Lt. Michael Krugh said Tuesday. "The preliminary results indicate the manner of death for both Claire and David were a gunshot wound. The cause of death for Claire was homicide. The cause of death for David was suicide."

David Soulner was identified as the only suspect in the deaths, Krugh said.

"The circumstances and motivation for this crime are still under investigation," he said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the department's Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or 858-565-5200. Anonymous tipsters can call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.