A D.C. homicide detective was killed by his wife before she fatally shot herself at their home in Waldorf, Maryland, authorities say.
A family member found 50-year-old Timothy Eugene Francis, and 41-year-old Christina Lynn Francis dead in their home on Marylea Court about 6 p.m. Friday, the Charles County Sheriff's Office said.
Evidence suggests that Christina Francis shot Timothy Francis before shooting herself, according to authorities. It’s unclear when or why the attack occurred.
Timothy Francis was a member of the Metropolitan Police Department for 20 years, D.C. police said.
“Mourning the tragic loss of our colleague and friend is extremely difficult,” Police Chief Peter Newsham said in a statement. ”Detective Francis spent two decades protecting the community from violence, and to learn that he was the victim of a homicide is heartbreaking.”
The police union expressed its sympathies, saying, "Tim was a stand up guy that always held his ground. We are all still reeling from this news. The MPD has lost a true detective today and he will not soon be replaced."
Tim was one of the best detectives in CID. His father was also a detective that worked nearly 45 years for MPD. Tim was a stand up guy that always held his ground. We are all still reeling from this news. The MPD has lost a true detective today and he will not soon be replaced.
Most recently, he was a detective with the MPD's homicide branch. The branch captain told other detectives about the slaying in a message obtained by News4.
“In an effort to minimize any rumors, preliminarily it appears he was the victim of this tragic offense,” Capt. Carlos T. Heraud said.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-609-6571. Anonymous tips can be submitted at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com.
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If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741.
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