FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Police are investigating after two dead bodies were found on a trail in Reston, Virginia on Wednesday afternoon.
Fairfax County Police say they received a 911 around 3 p.m. from someone who found a man and a woman laying on the ground on a trail that connects to Stratton Woods Park.
Both were "suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the upper body," said Sgt. Tara Gerhard, a Fairfax County Police Department public information officer.
Gerhard said both the man and woman, later identified as Patricia and Richard Garverick, were pronounced dead at the scene in what she said appeared to be a domestic-related murder-suicide. Initial investigation lead police to believe Richard Garverick, 75, shot his 69-year-old wife to death before killing himself.
WUSA9 was told a gun was also found at the scene, however police would not say if the gun was registered to either of the two people. The couple's car was also found in the parking lot of Stratton Woods Park.
As Fairfax County Police responded to that call, Herndon Police told WUSA9 they received a 911 call at the same time for a welfare check at a home on Austin Lane in Herndon. Police said the call came from a family member of the homeowner and that investigators later determined the welfare check was related to death investigation in Reston.
Sgt. Gerhard said the call to Herndon Police "indicated this couple was missing under circumstances that could be mental health in nature."
WUSA9 saw investigators on the trail photographing the two people and collecting evidence, near Colts Brook Drive.
Neighboring homeowners looked on as investigators searched the trail.
"Everybody says it's never gonna happen in your neighborhood but it does," said David Cohen.
Cohen told WUSA9 he's lives on Players Pond Road, just steps from where the two were found.
"We've been in this house for 31 years; nothing like this has ever happened," said Cohen.
His neighbor Paul Levine, echoed his sentiment.
"It's a very quiet neighborhood," said Levine.
Police also taped off the parking lot of the park, and photographed a silver SUV. They didn't confirm who the vehicle belonged to, or how it was connected to what happened.
Police say the investigation is ongoing but reminded the public that help is available for anyone suffering a mental health crisis.
"We would also like to remind our community that help is available. If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health crisis, please don't hesitate to call the hotline at 988," said Gerhard
Police have not released any information regarding the identities or ages of the people found dead on the trail.
Officers say there is no threat to public safety at this time.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.
Police are investigating after a woman was found dead in a trash can in Southeast D.C. Monday afternoon. According to a report from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officers were called to the 1600 block of 27th Street just before 4:45 p.m. on March 20.
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