Police: NW Bend man, 78, killed seriously ill wife, then self

A 78-year northwest Bend man killed his ill, 76-year-old wife he’d been caring for, and then himself at their home, police learned Thursday night.

Police officers and detectives responded just after 8 p.m. to a home at 3145 Northwest Colonial Drive on Awbrey Butte, said Lt. Clint Burleigh.

Neighbors had reported seeing newspapers piling up in front of the home of Janet Perkins, 76, and her husband Thomas, Burleigh said.

The neighbors peered inside the home and could see two people that appeared to be deceased, he said.

Police investigators found that the couple had been dead “for an undetermined time,” Burleigh said in a news release.

An initial investigation revealed that Janet Perkins “has been suffering with an ongoing and debilitating illness,” and had been killed by her husband, the lieutenant said.

“Thomas has been the primary care provider for Janet after the onset of her serious illness,” Burleigh said, adding that he “took his own life within the same time frame.”

The method of their deaths was being withheld while the investigation continues, he said.

“This is a very rare event,” Burleigh told NewsChannel 21. “It’s tragic. It’s horrible for the families. With that being said, it’s something that we need to look into, to make sure we have an understanding of what happened.”

NewsChannel 21 will have more details as they become available.