Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Forsyth County Man Kills Wife, Then Himself

The names of a Forsyth County couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide Monday night have been released.

UPDATE: 12-12-12, 10:50 a.m. (names released)

A married Forsyth County couple who authorities believe were having marital problems were found dead Monday night in an apparent murder-suicide, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities have released their names.

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Investigators say John Vitkow, 65, called 911 around 9:40 p.m. and told the dispatcher that he had killed his wife, Nancy Lee Vitkow, 66, with a .357 Magnum gun. He then told the dispatcher that he was going to leave the front door unlocked and was going to kill himself.

When deputies arrived at the couple's home, located on Stonehill Drive in the Pines at Stonegate subdivision in south Forsyth, they tried to make contact with Vitkow via a public address radio. Following several attempts to reach out to him and getting no response, the deputies entered the home and found the couple dead. They had been shot, a press release stated.

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During the Vitkow's conversation with the dispatcher, he indicated that he and his wife were having marital problems. Investigators speculate this information could have led to the murder-suicide.

Investigators were able to locate the couple’s next of kin Tuesday night and tell them of the couple's deaths.


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