Springs police say murder/suicide suspected in deaths of south side couple

Colorado Springs police have released the names of a man and woman who were found dead in a south side home Tuesday (9/8/15).

Police say George Lawrence, 51, shot his wife, Rebecca Lawrence, 44, multiple times before taking his own life.

The couple’s bodies were found in their home at the intersection of Southgate Road and Montrose Avenue.

Officers were sent to the house around noon for a welfare check, after Rebecca Lawrence failed to show up for work.

Her sister told KRDO Tuesday that she believed this was a case of domestic violence and that the husband had been acting suspicious for weeks.

Neighbors say they heard the couple arguing Monday night.

“I heard the dogs barking and heard a little bit of yelling and screaming like a woman screaming,” said Benita Atencio.

Police said this is the third murder-suicide in a domestic relationship they have responded to in the city this year. They say these have all happened in completely different neighborhoods, which shows it’s not an isolated problem. They remind the public that if they believe there is domestic violence, to say something and encourage the potential victim to seek help.

There have been 14 homicides in Colorado Springs prior to this incident. There had been 17 homicides in the city at this time last year.