Branford Residents, 21 & 59, ID'd In Wethersfield Murder-Suicide: PD

This report is a repost from Wethersfield filed by Patch editor Michael Lemanski

BRANFORD, CT — Monday, Wethersfield police identified the victims of Saturday night's double-fatal shooting as Branford residents. Police said they were investigating the situation as a likely murder-suicide.

Wethersfield police have identified one of the victims as being Caroline Anne Ashworth, 21, of Branford, who was found deceased in the front driver seat of a car found on Mountain Laurel Drive.

Police said she had multiple gunshot wounds to her torso and extremities.

Local police said a deceased male, located outside of the vehicle by the driver’s door, was identified as Michael Mollow, 59, of Branford.

Mollow had a gunshot wound to the chest and head, according to police.

Investigation revealed Mollow and Ashworth had been in a previous domestic relationship, according to police.

Based on the determined cause of death, the case is being investigated as a murder-suicide, authorities said.

At this time, a motive for the shooting is undetermined, police said.

According to Wethersfield police, authorities received multiple 911 calls at about 9:28 p.m. Saturday for sounds of gunshots in the area of 74 Mountain Laurel Drive in town.

When they arrived, officers found a vehicle parked in front of that address with two dead bodies nearby.

According to a police statement issued afterwards, preliminary investigators determined there was no threat to the community at that time.

Wethersfield police requested the assistance of Connecticut State Police to assist in the investigation at the scene, and the Connecticut State's Attorney's office is involved.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Wethersfield Police Department's Detective Division at 860-721-2865.