VERNON, Conn. -- Two children were found inside a Vernon home that was the scene of a murder-suicide Monday morning, police said.Vernon police said they received a 911 call just before midnight from a woman reporting a domestic dispute at a Gerald Drive home. They said the caller said there were two children inside the home.
Arriving officers said they heard two gunshots followed by single gunshot.
Police said Alice Morrin, 43, and James Morrin, 45, were found dead inside the home.
Police said that as they arrived, 15-year-old Erica Morrin, Alice and James Morrin's eldest daughter, bolted from the back of the home as two gunshots rang out. They said the Rockville High School student was unharmed.
As officers forced their way inside, they said, they found 43-year-old Alice Morrin's body.
"A female victim was found in the upstairs bedroom, suffering two gunshot wounds," Vernon Police Sgt. William Meier III said.
A third and final shot then rang out, Meier said. He said that's when officers found James Morrin's body in a separate bedroom.
"He suffered a single gunshot wound," Meier said. "He was also dead. We also found a long gun in close proximity to his body."
Detectives said they believe James Morrin murdered his wife, then took his own life.
Police said the couple's younger daughter, 9-year-old Shannon Morrin, who attends the Skinner School, was found in a third bedroom unharmed.
Both girls are in the care of members of their mother's family, police said.
According to the judicial Web site, the couple was in the process of a divorce.
Alice Morrin worked at Fox 61 News as an executive assistant to the general manager, police said, and James Morrin was a highway planner for the Department of Transportation.
In a statement, officials from Fox 61 said, "We are devastated and shocked by the loss of our friend and colleague, Alice Morrin. She was smart and funny, with a kind and caring heart. Alice touched the lives of everyone at Fox 61 and was very excited about her new opportunity at the Hartford Courant. Known for being witty, intelligent and hard-working, Alice always had a kind word for everyone.
She leaves behind two beautiful daughters whom she adored and talked about often. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and Alice's entire family. Words cannot begin to describe what Alice meant to the Tribune family. She truly will be missed.
As detectives and investigators -- some in Hazmat suits -- combed the home and yard for clues, neighbors stared in disbelief.
"This time of the morning, she'd be riding her bike right now," said Joe Hauser, who lived across the street from the Morrins for almost a decade. "I just don't know what to make of it."
Hauser said he'd become friendly with the Morrins over the years, but that Alice and James were extremely private about personal matters. He said they hadn't shared the news with the neighborhood that they were getting divorced.
He said they were also still living together in the home.
Several neighbors said that years ago, the couple had separated. Hauser said that although they had reconciled, something about James Morrin seemed a little off.
"Things were always a little uneasy when he was there," he said. "I can't put my finger on it. I can't tell you any specifics, but there was always some tension when he was around."
But Hauser said one thing that did make him uneasy was that Alice Morrin had once given a neighbor her husband's shotgun for safe-keeping.
"I think she was concerned for her safety, because, from what I heard, he could be violent, and we've seen the worst of it now," Hauser said.
Sandra Botelho, who was friends with Alice Morrin, said she was in shock. She said she and some other neighbors had spoken with the couple earlier on Sunday.
"Her two daughters, she did absolutely everything for them, so it's gonna be hard for them," Botelho said. "I hope that the kids are well taken care of and the mental state of mind they're going to be in."
She said she agreed that James Morrin seemed to have an effect on his usually bubbly wife.
When he was around, Botelho said, Alice Morrin would become quiet.
As detectives and investigators -- some in Hazmat suits -- combed the home and yard for clues, neighbors stared in disbelief.
"This time of the morning, she'd be riding her bike right now," said Joe Hauser, who lived across the street from the Morrins for almost a decade. "I just don't know what to make of it."
Hauser said he'd become friendly with the Morrins over the years, but that Alice and James were extremely private about personal matters. He said they hadn't shared the news with the neighborhood that they were getting divorced.
He said they were also still living together in the home.
Several neighbors said that years ago, the couple had separated. Hauser said that although they had reconciled, something about James Morrin seemed a little off.
"Things were always a little uneasy when he was there," he said. "I can't put my finger on it. I can't tell you any specifics, but there was always some tension when he was around."
But Hauser said one thing that did make him uneasy was that Alice Morrin had once given a neighbor her husband's shotgun for safe-keeping.
"I think she was concerned for her safety, because, from what I heard, he could be violent, and we've seen the worst of it now," Hauser said.
Sandra Botelho, who was friends with Alice Morrin, said she was in shock. She said she and some other neighbors had spoken with the couple earlier on Sunday.
"Her two daughters, she did absolutely everything for them, so it's gonna be hard for them," Botelho said. "I hope that the kids are well taken care of and the mental state of mind they're going to be in."
She said she agreed that James Morrin seemed to have an effect on his usually bubbly wife.
When he was around, Botelho said, Alice Morrin would become quiet.
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