The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office announced yesterday that the deaths of a Goodyear man and his ex-girlfriend last week have been ruled a murder-suicide.
The bodies of 43-year-old Thomas Watson and his ex-girlfriend, 31-year-old Tara
Shermerhorn, were found dead inside Watson's truck south of Horse Thief
Basin just after 10 a.m. last Friday.
The bodies each had "close-range gunshot wounds to the head," and authorities have determined that Watson shot Shermerhorn before turning the gun on himself.
Watson was reported missing about 5 a.m. last Thursday after his sister
found a note at his home suggesting he was despondent. The note also
gave instructions on disposing of his property.
Police tried to
locate Watson, who was last seen driving a dark-blue 1999 Ford F150 with
South Dakota plates of 59K090. His phone was "pinged" and was
reportedly located near Interstate 17 traveling north of Phoenix. The
phone was later shut off.
Hours after Watson was reported
missing, Shermerhorn also was reported missing by family members. She
was last seen at her work last Wednesday night about 9 p.m. Police believe
she drove directly home from work because her car was parked at her
house. Her phone was also "pinged," but appeared stationary near the
Crown King area in Yavapai County after she was reported missing.
Police say the investigation into the deaths is ongoing.
