Lakeside

A Lakeside couple found dead in their home were the victims of a murder-suicide, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies found the bodies of Eurtly Parker, 61, and his wife, Geraldine Parker, 45, about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at their home in the 12000 block of Riverside Drive, according to Deputy Coroner Jerry Hillbrand.

Eurtly Parker is believed to have shot his wife before killing himself, Hillbrand said.

Sheriff’s officials had received a call from an out-of-town friend of the Parkers asking for someone to check on them, Sheriff’s Sgt. Manny Castillo said, adding that the Parkers were last seen Monday by a neighbor. The friend had received a letter from Eurtly Parker “that indicated something was wrong,” Hillbrand said.

Deputies from the Santee substation entered the home and found the bodies and a 12-gauge shotgun believed to have been used in the shootings, Castillo said.