A coroner says it appears a man fatally shot his estranged wife before killing himself in a murder-suicide that police say also left the woman's brother critically wounded.
Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth Bacha says it appears 36-year-old Robert Pendleton shot his estranged wife, 37-year-old Kelly Pendleton, at a home on Alexander Avenue in Monessen about 12:10 a.m. Monday.
County detectives and Monessen police say Kelly Pendleton's brother, 40-year-old Thomas Brookes, was also wounded. He was reportedly in critical condition at a Pittsburgh hospital with unspecified wounds.
The couple was from nearby Rostraver Township. The shooting reportedly took place at Brookes' residence, police said.
MONESSEN, Pa. — Investigators told Channel 11's Joe Holden that the Pendleton's 12-year-old boy was standing outside when police arrived.
According to court documents, the boy said, “My dad is shooting my family.”
Neighbors and family friends told Holden they’re crushed at what happened.
“Things that we were told, it turned into a bad relationship. It was one hell of a shock when I was called this morning,” said family friend Don Baird.
Holden reported Kelly Pendleton has worked as a cafeteria worker in the Belle Vernon Area School District since 2008. Her friends described her as friendly and well-liked.
“She was almost like a daughter, you know. We knew her very well,” said Baird.
WPXI
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