Married Couple Identified As San Clemente Murder-Suicide Victims
SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA.com) — Officials identified a man and woman Sunday who were killed in a shooting murder-suicide at a boutique yesterday afternoon.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, deputies were sent on Saturday to the Bliss Clothing Boutique located in the 100 block of Avenida Del Mar for reports of a shooting.
Once on scene, deputies discovered the deceased bodies of an adult male and female inside of the business. A preliminary investigation revealed evidence that led deputies to investigate the case as a murder-suicide.
According to officials, John Patrick Dillard, 59, and Cynthia Jean Rosier Dillard, 64, both of San Clemente, were identified as a married couple.
Deputies said Dillard allegedly entered the boutique with a handgun and fatally shot Rosier before turning the weapon on himself.
An employee of the store was able to escape out the back of the store and called 911.
CBS2's Laurie Perez said a large group of women gathered outside the Bliss store Sunday to express their sorrow about the friend.
Flowers were piled outside the store's front door. The woman's friends told Perez she would have appreciated the gesture because she loved beautiful things.
"She was the best shopper," said friend Debbie Stamper, "she had the best clothes. She cared about her clients. She was such a wonderful friend."
Friends told Perez the couple had been married only a few years and were divorcing.
Neighbors said they never saw signs of trouble.
"They were a quiet couple," says Mia Martinez, "two little dogs. They said hello in the morning, in the evening. That was about it. So it's just so shocking. And heartbreaking."
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact police at (714) 647-7000.
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