Adelaide murder-suicide: Elderly couple found dead at LHI Retirement Services in Glynde remembered
Shocked friends and neighbours have paid a heartbreaking tribute to an elderly couple believed to have died in a suspected murder-suicide.
Dennis Willshire and his wife Barbara, both 92 and in deteriorating health, have been remembered as a ‘beautiful and loving’ couple after they were found dead in their unit at a retirement village in Adelaide.
A nurse made the grim discovery while doing their morning rounds at LHI Retirement Services in Glynde on Wednesday morning.
Early investigations suggest Mr Willshire killed his wife of more than 50 years before taking his own life, according to police.
Detectives have ruled out any of history domestic violence as news of their deaths rocked family, friends and residents at the retirement village.
The pair have been hailed as ‘good church people’ who loved playing cards, travelled across Australia and were heavily involved in their community through local clubs and sporting organisations.
Dennis Willshire and his wife Barbara were found dead in their retirement village unit in what police believe was a suspected murder-suicide
Mr Willshire was remembered as a highly regarded retired public servant who was awarded the prestigious Public Service Medal in 1991 for his outstanding service.
Barbara was a gifted painter who also won awards.
Shattered neighbours say he was a lovely man who would have done anything for his wife who had ‘gone downhill’ and was unable to imagine a life without her.
‘They were a beautiful couple – it was a love story, really,’ one resident told the Adelaide Advertiser.
‘We’re all in a mystery about what happened and whether they planned it.’
Margaret Pittman, 88, added: ‘I’m very sorry to hear it … it’s one of those things you don’t face every day. I hope to hell it doesn’t happen again, it’s awful.
The Willshires moved into the retirement home seven years ago to be closer to their friends.
Barbara Willshire, 92, (pictured) was a gifted painter who had won awards for her artwork
They had been friends with their next door neighbours for more than 30 years.
‘It’s a big shock to us,’ Ronald Greer told reporters.
His wife Beryl added: ‘If you wanted to know anything, you asked Dennis because he was a very bright person.
‘She (his wife) was unwell and Dennis was very distressed about the whole situation.’
‘It’s hard to accept they’ve gone and I still can’t believe it.’
Another shocked neighbour said: ‘They were very nice people, dedicated to themselves and everything and did a lot for the community.’
The Willshires are survived by three children and seven grandchildren.
The distressed family are yet to speak publicly as they struggle to come to terms with their unfathomable loss.
Detective and forensic crime scene investigators spent the day scouring the unit and interviewing neighbours and staff.
The deaths of Dennis and Barbara have rocked the close-knit community at LHI Retirement Services in Glynde (pictured police at the scene on Wednesday)
A horrified nurse discovered the bodies in what police say is a suspected murder-suicide
‘Pastoral support is being offered to residents, as well as counselling support for staff,’ a Lutheran Homes Group spokeswoman said.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our Glynde community at this difficult time.’
Police investigations are ongoing to determine how the couple died.
Superintendent Matt Nairn stressed there was nothing to indicate the couple were known to police.
He added a smell of gas reported by neighbours is ‘not an implicating factor in this’.
‘We can determine that we believe it is a murder-suicide and at this stage we believe the man has killed his wife and taken his own life,’ Supt Nairn said.
‘As you can imagine this is very tragic for a family.’
If you or anyone you know needs help or confidential support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Police were called to the Adelaide retirement village in Glynde after staff raised the alarm
