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A man apparently shot his wife and then himself in what police believe is a murder-suicide in Charlotte's sprawling Highland Creek neighborhood.
Police say evidence indicates that John Chronis, 68, shot his wife, Renate, 69, then turned the handgun on himself.
Family members coming over for dinner found the couple on the floor of their home on Acorn Creek Lane and called 911 just after 7 p.m.
Officers recovered a handgun beneath John Chronis' body. It was the first time police officers had been to the house and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police spokeswoman Julie Hill said officers didn't immediately know of a restraining order or other signs of trouble between the couple. They had lived at the house in northeast Charlotte for about a year after moving from another state.
Hill said investigators weren't sure exactly when the shots were fired. A neighbor reported seeing John Chronis mowing his lawn Friday afternoon. Police officers hadn't received any calls about gunfire from neighbors.
Officers were interviewing family members and neighbors late Saturday, trying to figure out what may have led up to the shooting.
The homicide is the 50th Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have investigated in 2008. At this time last year, they'd investigated 44.
Cleve R. Wootson Jr.: 704-358-5046
