Lori Bruick died from blunt force trauma, according to a preliminary report from the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Authorities attempting to notify an Arkansas woman of her husband's suicide instead found her dead body at their home, where she was likely killed by the man before he took his own life.
After Lawrence "Larry" Bruick’s body was found near Mount Magazine in Arkansas, officers with the West Fork police department were tasked with notifying his wife, Lori, that he had taken his own life.
Cops arrived at the couple’s home on June 10 for the grim assignment, preparing to break the news to Bruick's wife and mother of their two children of her husband’s death the day before.
But there was no answer at the Bruick home, and when police returned the following day, they were met with silence again.
"Officers could see items in the home that led them to believe that Mrs. Bruick was still at home," West Fork police said in a statement.
Officials entered the home, where they found men’s clothes stained with blood and other evidence that a struggle had taken place.
In the garage, they found Lori Bruick’s body inside a chest freezer, police said.
Letters discovered inside the home indicated Larry Bruick was contemplating suicide, but authorities have not released a motive for the killing of his wife.
"The motive behind the altercation is still an ongoing investigation but investigators do not believe there are any other suspects in Mrs. Bruick’s death other than Mr. Bruick," West Fork police said.
Lori Bruick died from blunt force trauma, according to a preliminary report from the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office.
She is believed to have died on June 7, two days before her husband took his own life.
Lori and Larry Bruick were survived by two grown children, four grandchildren and countless other loved ones. A joint funeral was held Monday.
Lori Bruick was scheduled to be buried Tuesday in her native Texarkana, but it was not immediately clear whether Larry Bruick would be buried alongside her.
"The Bruick family has suffered a tragedy and that resulted in loss of life for Larry and Lori Bruick," read a statement from their family posted on the Arkansas High School Class of ’81 Facebook page. “Many details remain unclear and likely will for some time. We thank you for and covet your prayers, messages of support, and actions of kindness. As we move forward, we ask that you respect the family's privacy concerning the details of this tragedy as we move through the grieving process.
In lieu of flowers for Lori Bruick, her family asked for donations be made in her name to the patient benevolence fund at Washington Regional Medical Center, where she worked as a respiratory therapist.
Loved ones asked for donations in Larry Bruick's name to the America Foundation for Suicide Prevention in lieu of flowers.
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