Murder-Suicide Suspected in Family's Death

A V A, Ohio, Sept. 5 -- A family of seven found dead in theirfire-gutted trailer, victims of an apparent murder-suicide, showedno outward signs of impending violence, neighbors and sheriff’sofficials said.

Noble County Sheriff Landon T. Smith wouldn’t say who hebelieves was responsible for the deaths, although nobody outsidethe family is considered a suspect.

The bodies of Richard Pangle, 37, his wife Sheryl, 29, and theirfive children were found after a blaze destroyed their traileraround 3 a.m. Monday.

Preliminary autopsy reports showed the two youngest children,5-year-old twins Trina and Trinda, died of single gunshot wounds,Smith said.

Four Guns in Living RoomFour guns and spent shells were found in the living room nearthe bodies of the parents and their eldest daughter, Kayla, 12. Thebodies of the twins and their brothers Brett, 10, and Derek, 7,were found in the trailer’s two bedrooms.

A neighbor in a camper about 20 feet from the trailer, at theend of a gravel road in the Appalachian foothills of eastern Ohio,saw the fire and ran to a nearby home to call for help, Smith said.

Deputy sheriffs never received complaints of domestic violenceinvolving the Pangles, Smith said. He added that, although thecouple was discussing a divorce, he saw them driving togetherSunday during a celebration in Ava, about 75 miles east ofColumbus.

“I’ve known the Pangle family forever,” Smith said.

New Bikes OutsideLloyd Anderson, Sheryl Pangle’s brother, said Richard Pangledoted on his children and recently bought them new bicycles. Thosebikes, along with several toys, were scattered around the shell ofthe home Monday.

“Those were Richie’s gardens,” Anderson said, pointing to theneat rows of corn, pumpkins, flowers and watermelon growing nearthe trailer. “He figured with five kids, he’d better have a coupleof gardens and the kids helped him can some of the vegetables.”