LOWER LAKE — An unusual call resulted in the discovery of a man who apparently shot and killed his wife before taking his own life early Tuesday morning.
Deputies found the bodies of Ralph Optiz and his wife Eillen Optiz dead in their home after responding to the Ellen Springs Court residence for a welfare check. According to the Lake County Sheriffs Department, Ralph Optiz contacted a family member in Oregon, stating that his “wife was dying and he was going with her.”
A forced entry into the home led deputies to find Eillen Optiz lying in a hospital bed in the front room, deceased with a gunshot wound to the head. Ralph Optiz was located next to the bed, also deceased with a gunshot wound to the head.
According to the sheriffs department, they believe this case is a murder-suicide because a note left at the scene indicated that the Eillen Optiz had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was suffering with extreme pain. Evidence located at the scene further confirmed that she was under Hospice care and was terminally ill. The note, signed by Ralph Optiz, indicated this action was a mutual decision between the two.
Autopsies confirmed that both parties died from a single gunshot wound. There was no evidence of a struggle or any other signs of foul play.
Contact Aura Thomas at athomas@record-bee.com
