REHOBOTH, Mass. – Police in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, are investigating what appears to be a murder-suicide. According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, a relative of the female victim called 911 on Saturday morning. The caller had reported hearing shouting during a phone conversation with 77-year-old Barbara J. Cruz of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
After the call abruptly ended, the caller attempted to reconnect but received no response. Investigators said they went to the Summer Street home for a well-being check by a relative of the victim who made the phone call. When authorities arrived at the residence, they found two people dead from gunshot wounds and an 84-year-old woman unharmed. The 84-year-old is the sister of Barbara Cruz.
Investigators believe that 72-year-old Omar Bradley, who had been living with the sister, shot and killed Cruz. Bradley then turned the gun on himself. While Bradley’s listed address is in Providence, additional details about his motive remain unclear.
The tragic incident was reported to Rehoboth police after a concerned relative raised alarms upon hearing the disturbance. The responding officers discovered the lifeless bodies of Cruz and Bradley, both victims of fatal gunshots. A senior woman living in the same household managed to escape unharmed.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to establish a clearer understanding of the events leading up to the tragic murder-suicide. The close-knit community of Rehoboth is left shocked and mourning the loss of two members. May their families find solace during this difficult time.
According to authorities, the motive behind the murder-suicide has not been determined at this stage of the investigation. The identities of the deceased individuals have been released, but no further information has been provided at this time.