Two elderly sisters were found dead in their Georgia home on Sunday in what police are investigating as a possible murder-suicide, authorities said.
The Chatham County Police Department responded to a call at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time, discovering Deborah Hudson, 71, and Deloris Hooker, 70, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
In a statement, police said witnesses reported that one sister entered the home and shot the other before turning the gun on herself. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities awaiting autopsy results.
According to local media reports, the sisters’ 98-year-old father was present in the home during the incident. Neighbors told WTOC that there had been “ongoing issues” between the siblings for years.
Witnesses reportedly stated that Hooker, the younger sister, had recently become homeless and was attempting to convince Hudson and their father to allow her to live in the house. Neighbors alleged that Hooker broke into the home through the back door before the shooting occurred.
The Chatham County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the deceased women, as reported by WJCL and the Savannah Morning News.
Police have not yet provided additional details about the circumstances leading to the tragedy or confirmed the witness accounts. The case remains under active investigation.
This incident has shocked the local community, raising questions about family disputes, elder care, and access to support services for individuals facing homelessness and mental health challenges.