Police in Ohio are trying to figure out what led to an elderly couple’s deaths. Claire and Frederick Buckley were found dead in their home of gunshot wounds after police were asked to check on them. Currently, it is believed their deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. But what would possess older people to end their lives in such a gruesome way? That’s the part that remains a mystery. Those who knew the couple expressed nothing but surprise about their deaths. It’s hard to understand how people who seemed to love their lives and were happy ended up dead.
A welfare check was called in.
Deputies from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office were called to perform a welfare check on the couple just before 3 p.m. April 1, 2026, WXIX reported. The couple’s son-in-law is the one who called, telling deputies he hadn’t heard from them in a few days.
When deputies entered the home through the garage, they found a dead woman on the couch and a dead man on the floor. They also found a dead dog in the living room. Their deaths were believed to be a murder-suicide.
The Butler County Coroner’s Office identified them as 72-year-old Claire Buckley and 70-year-old Frederick Buckley, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Claire Buckey’s death was listed as a homicide, and Frederick Buckley’s death was listed as a suicide. Authorities are investigating the case.
The couple’s neighbors spoke out about their deaths.
Their next-door neighbor, who asked not to be identified, spoke WCPO about the deaths, expressing nothing but shock.
“It makes zero sense,” the neighbor said, calling Claire and Frederick Buckley “very kind people,” adding that they “always [had] something nice to say.”
According to neighbors, the Buckleys had lived in the neighborhood for over a dozen years but had recently moved to Columbus after building a home there. They returned to Liberty Township, however, because they ran a financial planning business outside of the home where they were found dead.
The next-door neighbor had spoken with Claire Buckley about the move days before her death, per WCPO. “She was talking about the painters in their new house, and that she was starting to feel comfortable there and getting it set up and making it her own,” the neighbor shared. “And she seemed very happy.”
From what those around them knew, Claire and Frederick Buckley seemed content with their lives.
According to the neighbor, the couple loved their dog Luna, who was also found dead.
“Just this past week, when they were home, I heard them in the backyard playing with Luna and throwing the ball and the Frisbee for her,” the source said. “And they laugh out loud watching her. I mean, they get total joy out of that dog.” The neighbor called the killings “completely out of character.”
“They’re very kind people with a very nice family, and I just can’t believe it,” said the neighbor, who was truly shocked after finding out about the incident, per WCPO. “Like, ‘This is not true. Is there some other explanation? Why? What?’”
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
