Bethel Murder-Suicide Woman Had Complained Of Domestic Abuse: Report

BETHEL, CT — The Bethel woman slain by her husband before he took his own life on Tuesday had been the victim of domestic abuse and obtained a restraining order against him.

Traci-Marie Jones, 52, first sought legal assistance through the Danbury Superior Court, filing an Affidavit Relief from Abuse on Jan. 17. Three days later, the first report of domestic abuse was made to the Bethel Police Department. In that complaint, Traci-Marie said that her husband, Lester Jones, 58, had threatened her.

At the time the complaint was made, Lester was staying with family in New York State. The Bethel PD contacted the New York State Police, requesting they make contact with Lester and arrest him for violation of the Order of Protection. Police arrested the husband on Jan. 20.

According to a statement from the Bethel PD, Lester came back to Connecticut from New York within the past week and stayed with family in Danbury. On Jan. 31, he returned to the home on Reservoir Street near Route 53 and shot his wife once in the chest and once in the head, before shooting himself in the head.

The Bethel PD responded to a complaint regarding yelling coming from the home at 11:49 p.m Tuesday. First responders began treating them, but pronounced the woman dead at the residence, police said. Lester was taken to Danbury Hospital, where he was also pronounced dead.

Public records show the two married in 1999.