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05/11/2010 12:00 AMHusband and wife Thomas Vanacore, 73, and Joan Vanacore, 70, a prominent North Haven couple suffering from late stage lung cancer and Alzheimer's disease, respectively, died May 10 in an apparent murder suicide.
Police responded to a 911 call from a visiting healthcare worker reporting that one of the residents had suffered an injury. When police arrived at the home, they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Joan Vanacore was pronounced dead in the home; Thomas Vanacore was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Evidence at the scene indicates Thomas Vanacore shot his wife then turned the weapon, a revolver, on himself. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Farmington determined that both died of a single, separate gunshot wound to the head.
John Vanacore, one of the couple's sons, said the family is coming to terms with the father's act.
"He just didn't want them to be a burden on anybody," Vancore said, noting that both parents faced significant health challenges. "They were both so in love with each other."
The family has tentative plans for Thursday services. Vanacore said the family was getting "a lot of support from friends and the community."
Police will continue to investigate as they examine the evidence and conduct interviews with family members this week.