31.5.11

No warning signs in apparent murder-suicide - But - They shared parenting of the children

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No warning signs in apparent murder-suicide in Green Cove Springs



They shared parenting of the children from Church's marriage to Netty Sue. Neighbors would see Gary Ward drop off Church's son for visits to his father.

Amplify’d from jacksonville.com
Robert Church was never angry at anyone, according to his neighbors.  Provided by Kenneth Eiland

But on Saturday, Ward arrived at Church's trailer home with just a gun in his hand, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Ward, 49, of Lawtey then pointed the revolver at his wife, Netty Sue Ward, who had recently told Ward she was leaving him, authorities said. But instead of firing at her, Ward turned the gun and shot himself in the head.

He said he thinks Ward "just couldn't handle" his wife's decision to move back in with Church.

It was the second murder-suicide this year in the Green Cove Springs area.

Neighbors of Clay County resident Robert Church said Sunday his tangled history with Gary Ward — Church's ex-wife later married Ward — had not shown any signs of ill will or confrontations over the years.

Read more at jacksonville.com