Gallery: Three fatally shot at Hacienda Heights home
Gallery: Jim Crabtree and his wife Rita Delahanty's green home
Related story: Hacienda Heights man builds "green" house from scratch
HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- Deputies believe an 84-year-old man fatally shot his 80-year-old wife, his 62-year-old daughter-in-law who has Alzheimer's disease and then turned the gun on himself Wednesday morning.
The three were found just after 9 a.m. after a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting brought deputies to the house in the 15900 block of Ladysmith Street, according to sheriff's Capt. Tim Murakami.
There were no signs an intruder had been inside the home, and no outstanding suspects were being sought, Murakami said.
"The male shot the two women, before shooting himself, in an apparent murder-suicide," Deputy Kim Manatt said.
Investigators said they didn't know the motive.
Neighbors interviewed Wednesday said the elderly couple cared for a female relative with Alzheimer's who was very difficult.
Authorities didn't release the victims' names, but the couple's son, Jim, identified them as Dan and Carol Crabtree. Jim Crabtree identified the woman with Alzheimer's disease as his wife, Rita Delehanty.
"It was a mercy killing: Dad killed his wife, my wife and then he killed himself. He saw the problems we were having.
Jim Crabtree and his wife Rita Delehanty sit on the hearth of their gas furnace fireplace of their green home "Steel Memories" in Hacienda Heights Friday, April 19, 2013. Rita Delehanty who had Alzheimer's was killed Wednesday May 1, 2013, in her in-laws home in an apparent murder-suicide. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)
I think it was his gift to me," Jim Crabtree said Wednesday evening during a phone interview.
He said his mother had severe arthritis and was in constant pain. She was in a scooter and received morphine. He said his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about six years ago and her condition advanced rapidly. She needed 24-hour care, he said. His parents would watch her at their home on Ladysmith Street during the day when he would go to work. He is a registered nurse with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.
On the weekends and at other times when his parents were not available, Jim Crabtree said he would pay caregivers to take care of his wife.
Deputies found the women's bodies in separate rooms.
Lt. Dave Dolson of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said one of the women, who used a wheelchair, was found fatally shot in a bedroom. The other woman's body was discovered in the living room.
The elderly man was discovered in the backyard, Dolson said. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
A shotgun and a handgun were found near the man, according to sheriff's officials.
It appeared that at least one 9-1-1 call reporting the shooting came from inside the home, Dolson said. The caller had a male voice, but it was unclear if the suspected shooter placed the call, he said.
A neighbor who identified himself only as Joe said he was awakened by arguing prior to the shooting.
"I heard arguing since 7 a.m.," he said. "It was loud." But he added he could not make out what was being said.
About two hours later, the neighbor said he heard what sounded like two gunshots.
Joe said he found it hard to believe his neighbor could be responsible for the deaths of his wife and the second woman, whom he described as the man's daughter-in-law.
"I can't imagine. The kindness that he had," he said. "They were very good neighbors. They were a nice old couple. "
The couple remained active, and the husband could often be seen working in his garage, Joe said.
And every time Joe greeted his neighbor, he said the man had the same response: "Another beautiful day. "
Neighbors said the elderly couple had lived in the home for five decades, and they were shocked to learn of the violence that unfolded there early Wednesday.
"I can't believe it," said neighbor Julie Minjarez. "They were a nice family. "
Minjarez added that she walks by the home daily and has never seen any sign of trouble.
"They were very active people," Minjarez said, adding that they often went on vacation in a motor home.
"They seemed outgoing and lively people. "
Tom Watts, a teacher at a local elementary school, noticed helicopters hovering over Hacienda Heights and went to check on his parents after learning there was an incident unfolding near their home.
He described the couple that lived in the home as "very friendly" and "very talkative. "
"They enjoyed camping," Watts added.
But Watts said his father had a conversation with the man who lived at the home about three weeks ago, and at that time the man mentioned he was depressed.
Staff Writers Steve Scauzillo and Ruby Gonzales contributed to this report.
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