Elderly Couple Found Dead In Basement In Murder-Suicide

NILES, IL — Police are investigating the death of an elderly Niles couple found dead in their home Wednesday with apparent gunshot wounds. Around 4:23 p.m., officers had responded to a 911 call from a woman who had gone to check on her parents. When she arrived at their house in the 8700 block of West Madison Street in Niles she discovered her mother and father dead in the basement.

Robert L. Wodka, 82, and Mary Ann Wodka, 80, were pronounced dead at their home at 4:46 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Both appeared to have been shot once, police said.

A handgun was found nearby, and a note was found in the home, according to Cmdr. Robert Tornabene. The incident remains under investigation but is believed to be isolated with no threat to the community, he said.

Autopsies performed Thursday determined both Robert and Mary Ann died from a gunshot wound to the head. Mary Ann's death was ruled a suicide and Robert's was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner.

Free and confidential assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-800-273-8255 or online from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.