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Fire investigation reveals 'mercy killing'

Story Created: Sep 1, 2010 at 3:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Sep 1, 2010 at 6:00 PM MST

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Authorities investigating a house fire north of Libby say the elderly couple who lived there were actually the victims of a murder-suicide.

Coroner Steve Schnackenberg identified the couple as Ted and Swanie Hardgrove. Both were 81.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Capt. Roby Bowe says Ted Hardgrove shot his wife, lit the fire that destroyed the home and then shot himself on Saturday morning.

Bowe said Wednesday that police found a letter written by Ted Hardgrove that led police to conclude it was a mercy killing.

Bowe says Swanie Hardgrove suffered from cerebral palsy and was in a great deal of pain, and that her suffering had grown intense in the days leading up to the shooting.

Bowe says authorities don't believe anybody else was involved.

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