Police: 3 dead in northwest Indiana double homicide, suicide

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) – Authorities in northwest Indiana say a man shot and killed his parents before turning the gun on himself in an apparent double homicide and suicide.

Merrillville police said officers found the dead during a well-being check at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey identified the homicide victims as 66-year-old John Meeks and 65-year-old Olga Meeks. Authorities said they both suffered gunshot wounds. The coroner’s office ruled the death of their son, 34-year-old Eric Meeks as a suicide, saying he fatally shot himself.

Merrillville Police Commander Jeff Rice said John Meeks was found in the garage and Olga Meeks was found upstairs with Eric Meeks dead beside her. Rice said Eric Meeks had a history of mental illness. A motive wasn’t known Monday.

Merrillville is about 35 miles southeast of downtown Chicago.