The Union County Coroner’s Office has ruled that a local man killed his wife then days later killed himself.
The coroner’s office has ruled that Forrest “Ed” Jenkins killed his wife, Darlene Jenkins, at about 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, then, days later, shot himself. The death of Darlene Jenkins, 76, was ruled a homicide. The death of Forrest “Ed” Jenkins, 79, was ruled a suicide.
According to reports, on Nov. 2, a Meals on Wheels driver visited the home 12780 Kaiser Road to bring lunch as they did several times a week, but not daily. When the delivery person received no response at the door, they contacted a supervisor who called a family member. The Jenkins’ son arrived at the home and found his mother and father in their bed. A .22-caliber handgun was found in the man’s hand, between the two victims.
At about 2:13 p.m., Nov. 2, the Union County Sheriff’s Office received the 911 call reporting the two people were found dead at a home. The body of the man and woman were taken to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office where the autopsies were performed.
According to the report, the autopsy revealed a single gunshot wound to the back of the woman’s head. Investigators determined the shot was fired from “intermediate range” which Lance Emberling, an investigator with the Union County Coroner’s Office, said meant “probably less than a foot.”
“No other trauma or defensive wounds were found,” according to the report.
Emberling said the woman “probably” did not know she was about to be shot and killed.
The coroner’s report also noted “early decomposition changes.” The decomposition indicated to investigators that the woman had been killed days before the man died.
The report noted that Forrest Jenkins had “a single gunshot wound to the right temple.”
“No other trauma or injuries were found,” according to the report, which also noted there were no defensive wounds on the man.
Investigators said that “because of the way they were laying” they are confident it was Forrest Jenkins who shot his wife.
Emberling said investigators spoke with family members to learn about the couple and any circumstances that might have led to the apparent murder-suicide.
Officials learned the woman had a history of “moderate dementia” but neither spouse had any fatal or debilitating health issues.
He said family members had been doing things like helping the pair balance their checkbook and get to appointments. He said family members had looked into refinancing the home.
“We know there may have been some financial problems, but that’s all we know,” Emberling said.
He said that based on the investigation it is impossible to know if Forrest Jenkins shot himself moments after shooting his wife, but lived for a time after the shot. He said it is “definitely possible” Jenkins shot his wife but did not intend to shoot himself, then changed his mind.
“That is something we do not know and probably won’t know,” Emberling said. “Sometimes we do not have all the answers for things.”