Sheriff: Man Fatally Shot Mother, Pets, Himself

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say a woman, her son and two pets were found dead in a home in what police believe was a homicide-suicide in southern Oregon.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says a man requested a welfare check at a neighbor’s home in Central Point Monday afternoon. Deputies found the bodies of two people inside as well as a pet rabbit and cat.

The sheriff’s office says medical examiners identified the bodies as 68-year-old Robin Meinhart and 44-year-old Shane Cleaveland. Investigators say Cleaveland shot Meinhart, the pets, and then himself and that Cleaveland left a note.

Authorities say both lived in the home and hadn’t been seen for a week before deputies arrived.