Tuesday, May 31, 2011

05312011 - News Article - Pleasant Township couple dead in apparent murder-suicide



Pleasant Township couple dead in apparent murder-suicide
NWI Times
Jeff Burton
May 31, 2011 - 4:45 pm
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/kouts/pleasant-township-couple-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide/article_b7cc0f0e-c74a-595f-857b-47663c9c9830.html

J.J. Miller, the 19-year-old son of Frederick and Cheryl Miller walks around his family's smoldering home Tuesday. Police said his estranged father threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. J.J. escaped before the shooting began. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times





The charred remains of a home smolder after an apparent murder-suicide early Tuesday in Pleasant Township, near Kouts. Police believe Frederick Miller threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the home and then shot his estranged wife, Cheryl Miller, before killing himself. The couple's 19-year-old son, J.J. Miller, was asleep at the time but escaped unharmed. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times




The Porter County bomb squad truck leaves the scene of an apparent early morning murder-suicide near Kouts on Tuesday. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times





A charred car and still smoking ashes are all that remain Tuesday morning at the site of an apparent murder-suicide near a home along the Kankakee River. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times





J.J. Miller, right hugs friend Kris Hendrickson after his parents were killed Tuesday in an apparent murder-suicide near Kouts. Jon L. Hendricks.The Times



PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - An estranged husband and wife were found dead Tuesday morning in an apparent murder-suicide, officials said.

Frederick Miller, 59, and Cheryl Miller, 52, suffered apparent gunshot wounds, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.

According to Porter County sheriff's police, officers were called around 3 a.m. Tuesday to a home in the 1200 block of South County Road 200 East, just north of the Kankakee River, for a reported domestic disturbance.

Police believe Frederick Miller threw a makeshift Molotov cocktail through a window in the home where his estranged wife and 19-year-old son were inside. Police said the man was served with a protective order in April and previously removed from the home by police.

Police said the couple's son, J.J. Miller, was able to escape the home and call police. He reportedly told officers he heard several gunshots from near the residence.

Police said when they arrived, they found the home fully engulfed in flames. Officers reported Cheryl Miller was found dead in the driveway and Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tuesday morning, only smoldering embers and a charred car remained at the site of the home adjacent to the Kankakee River.

Porter County detectives are heading the investigation, along with the Porter County coroner's office.

Harris said a forensic autopsy is scheduled for today in Mishawaka.

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