'Apparent Murder-Suicide,' 2 Found Dead In Burned Home: Prosecutor

WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ — Police found a man and woman suffering from fatal gunshot wounds after a house fire in "an apparent murder-suicide," the Hunterdon County prosecutor said.

The fire started at a home in the 600 block of Route 523 in Whitehouse Station, just before 6 a.m. Sunday. Fire crews had it under control by 7:30 a.m.

Officials said two adults were found dead in the home, but did not have further details at the time. Related: Deadly House Fire Under Investigation In Hunterdon County

On Friday afternoon, Prosecutor Renée Robeson identified the deceased as 70-year-old Kathryn Shern and 71-year-old Charles Shern.

An education fund has been set up for their grandchildren, Cody and Charlotte.

Robeson said the Readington Township Police Department is "actively investigating" the Sherns' deaths along with the Arson Task Force and Criminal Investigations Unit from her office.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Unit at 908-788-1129, or Detective Phares of the Readington Township Police Department at 908-534-4031.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010, going online to www.CrimeStoppersHunterdon.com, or through the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app.

All tips are anonymous and kept confidential. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for valid tips.