East Lyme, Connecticut – Tragedy struck a quiet neighborhood in East Lyme, Connecticut, as an elderly couple was found dead in their home in an apparent murder-suicide. The grim discovery was made by police who responded to concerned neighbors’ calls for a welfare check at a residence on Billow Road in the Niantic section of East Lyme.
Authorities identified the victims as 77-year-old Lorraine Decarli and 76-year-old Frank Cirioni. Decarli was found deceased from a gunshot wound, her death being classified as a homicide. In a tragic turn of events, Cirioni was also found lifeless in the same residence, having succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leading to his death being ruled a suicide.
Both Decarli and Cirioni were residents of the home where they were discovered. Following the retrieval of their bodies, they were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further examination. The State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad and the New London State’s Attorney’s Office were called in to support local authorities in their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
As the investigation is ongoing, the East Lyme Police Department has refrained from disclosing further details surrounding the case. The community has been left shaken by the news of the elderly couple’s untimely demise, prompting an outpouring of support for their loved ones and neighbors during this difficult time.
Neighbors expressed shock and disbelief at the tragic events that unfolded in their typically peaceful area, highlighting the need for mental health awareness and support for vulnerable individuals. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of looking out for one another and seeking help when coping with emotional challenges to prevent such heartbreaking outcomes.