Heartbreaking final words of ex-cop, 80, before he shot his dementia-stricken wife and then himself
A retired Michigan police officer made a devastating statement to a 911 dispatcher before shooting his sick wife and then himself.
William “Bill” Kitzmiller and his wife Donna Kitzmiller, both 80, died Sept. 28 in a murder-suicide at their home in Grand Haven Township.
The couple had been together for 54 years and “were true partners in life,” they said obituary.
Bill revealed the decision to end their lives following his wife’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease when he called 911 at 8:58 a.m. to report their deaths, according to records obtained by MLive.
“I gave my wife a merciful end to her Alzheimer’s disease and I will now follow her in death,” he said.
William “Bill” Kitzmiller and his wife Donna Kitzmiller, both 80, died in a murder-suicide on September 28
‘The front door of the house is open, not locked. There are notes with some information on the kitchen table. That’s it. Thank you very much.’
The dispatcher asked Bill to explain what happened, but his response came in a beep and then a gunshot was heard on the recording.
Ottawa County Medical Examiner’s Office records show Donna was “shot in the head by her husband.”
Bill’s death certificate lists the cause of death as suicide from a gunshot wound to the head.
The couple met while studying at Albion College and had careers in public service.
Bill served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam War, then became a police officer with the Grand Haven City Police Department, retiring after thirty years as a sergeant.
The couple had been together for 54 years and “were true partners in life,” according to their obituary
Bill announced the decision to end their lives in his 8:58 a.m. call to 911 to report their deaths
Donna worked as an elementary school teacher for the Grand Haven Area Public Schools, serving at Ferry Elementary, Central Elementary and Mary A. White Elementary for 30 years.
Together they traveled the world, spent time at their family cottage in Lake Michigan and cared for several golden retrievers and cats over the years.
About 7 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and these cases are expected to grow to 13 million by 2050, partly due to the aging of the population, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
About one in five women develops the disease, and one in ten men.