Elderly couple killed in apparent murder-suicide
WEST BEND - An elderly couple is dead after an apparent murder-suicide at the Samaritan Health Center in West Bend, the City of West Bend Police Department said Tuesday.
Charles Alioto, 81, was visiting his wife Julia, 82, and shot her to death before turning the gun on himself. An investigation is ongoing.
Police say Charles was a loving husband. Chief Kenneth Meuler said he may have been trying to spare his wife pain. "He was a very devoted husband and caretaker for his wife," Meuler said.
Neighbors tell TODAYS TMJ4 the couple had been married for decades. They say Julia suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and Charles cared for her until he was unable. She went to live at Samaritan a few months ago. Her husband visited every day.
"Every day, three or four times per day. He would go there as soon as he would wake up in the morning," said Nicole Oetzel. "It's heartbreaking. He was a sweetheart."
She says she thinks the two wanted to end their suffering. "I think the love they had for each other. It was straining. Stressful, learning to live on their own."
Hundreds of residents live at Samaritan Campus. No one was in the room when the shooting happened. No other residents were harmed.
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