In May 1975, a relative of Theodore Branchick and his wife Mary Branchick, found their bodies in their Washington Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, home. Following police investigation and autopsies, the deaths were ruled murder-suicide. Speculation was that a domestic dispute prompted Theodore to shoot his wife and then turn the gun on himself.
The story is told here through articles which appeared in regional newspapers.
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From the Pottsville Republican, 23 May 1975:
Couple Die of Gun Wounds
LYKENS – State Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide case in which the victims were Mary Branchick, 60, of R.D. 1 Elizabethville and her husband Theodore Branchick, 67.,
Police said they were found dead at their home Wednesday and that apparently Theodore shot his wife in the head, then shot himself.
Dauphin County Deputy Coroner Dale Hoover attributed death in both cases to single gunshot wounds of the head. A 22-caliber pistol was used, police said.
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From the Sunbury Daily Item, 23 May 1975:
Elizabethville man, wife: Police check possible murder-suicide
ELIZABETHVILLE – Police continued their investigation today into what they believe is the murder-suicide of an Elizabethville R.D. 1 couple found shot to death in their home.
State police at Lykens said Mrs. Mary Branchick, 60, was found dead of a bullet wound of the head and her husband, Theodore Branchick, 67, was found nearby, also with a bullet wound of the head.
Police said a .22 caliber pistol was found nearby. Police said Branchick apparently first shot his wife and then turned the weapon on himself. Time of death was estimated between noon and 2 p.m. Wednesday.
The bodies were found by a relative. Police said the couple lived between Elizabethville and Loyalton.
State police theorize that the couple became engaged in a domestic quarrel, during which the husband apparently shot Mrs. Branchick and then shot himself.
Postmortem examination of the bodies Thursday at Polyclinic Hospital, Harrisburg, showed both died of bullet wounds.
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From the Sunbury News Item, 23 May 1975:
Elizabethville couple, gunshot victims
ELIZABETHVILLE – Private funerals will be conducted Saturday in Berrysburg for Theodore F. Branchick, 67, and Mrs. Mary K. Branchick, 61, both of Elizabethville R.D., who died Wednesday in their home.
Mr. and Mrs. Branchick were found in their home Wednesday after what troopers believe was a murder-suicide, State Police at Lykens reported.
Mr. Branchck was a member of the Reliance Hose Company and American Legion Post 404.
Mrs. Branchick was a member of the Orthodox Church of Lykens.
Survivors are three sons, Frank Branchick, Daniel Branchick, and David Branchick, all of Elizabethville; a daughter, Mrs. Martin E. Miller of Millersburg R.D., and seven grandchildren.
In addition to her children, Mrs. Branchick is also survived by three sisters: Evelyn Komernicky, of Fort Myers, Florida; Mrs. Ann Hand of Lykens; and Mrs. Katherine Dietrich of Wiconisco; and two brothers, Charles Komernicky of Harrisburg and Nicholas Komernicky of Fort Myers, Florida.
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From the Pottsville Republican, 23 May 1975:
Branchick Rites
Private services for Theodore Branchick and Mary Branchick, of R.D. Elizabethville, who died Wednesday, will be held at Berrysburg Saturday morning. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Mrs. Branchick was a member of the orthodox Church of Lykens. She is survived by three sisters, Evelyn Komernicky of Fort Myers, Florida; Mrs. Ann Hand, of Lykens; Mrs. Katherine Dietrich, of Wiconisco; two brothers, Charles Komernicky of Harrisburg and Nicholas Komernicky of Fort Myers.
Mr. Branchick was a member of Reliance Hose Company and Legion Post 404.
The Branchicks are also survived by sons, Frank Branchick, David Branchick, and Daniel Branchick, all of Elizabethville; one daughter, Mrs. Marlin Miller, R.D. Millersburg, and seven grandchildren.
Rev. John Betourney of Salem United Church of Christ, will officiate.
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News articles are from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.