Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 9, 1995 TAG: 9505090111
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Since she became paralyzed about four years ago, he spent the better part of his days caring for her. He took her for drives, fed her, and helped her to the bathroom in her wheelchair, neighbor Peggy Pence said.
Yet police believe Campbell, 72, shot his wife of about 50 years in the head, then turned the gun on himself. He, too, was shot in the head.
Salem police found the Campbells' bodies Monday morning. A family friend who checks on the couple discovered them.
Sgt. David Leah wouldn't say where in the house they were found or how long they may have been dead. He did say someone reported seeing the couple Friday.
The case is being investigated as a murder-suicide, a surprise to neighbors on their quiet West Salem street.
Until recently, it was Pence's job to help care for 70-year-old Gloria Campbell. She would visit their Fletcher Street home three times a week to give Harold Campbell time to run errands.
And before Harold Campbell left, he would always kiss his wife goodbye, Pence said.
``They were very loving toward each other. They were married for, like, 50 years,'' she said.
But life wasn't easy for Gloria Campbell, who had difficulty adjusting to a life of dependence.
``There were times she said she wished Dr. [Jack] Kevorkian would visit her. ... She had a hard time dealing with her condition,'' Pence said. ``But even when she used to say something about it, he'd tell her not to talk like that.''
Recently things got worse, said David Riddleberger, who lives next door.
``During the period of the last two years, it got to be hard on his health, too,'' Riddleberger said. ``He'd been in the hospital several times.''
The couple had moved to Salem from Chesapeake about 10 years ago to be close to their son, who lives in Salem, and to enjoy their retirement, Pence said.
Their son, who could not be reached by the newspaper Monday, pitched in to care for his mother.
Leah said there was no evidence of a break-in so far. ``We've got our eyes open, but we're not really looking in that direction,'' he said.
Leah said autopsies may be completed today.
Staff writer Lisa Applegate contributed information to this story.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB