Together to end, two apologize, leave $200

CRYSTAL RIVER -- An elderly Citrus County couple was found dead Wednesday in a room at the Days Inn on U.S. 19, and police think the incident was a murder-suicide.

A typed and signed note taped to the dresser mirror revealed that 72-year-old Raymond Donald Erich was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and had between two weeks and two months to live, according to Crystal River police Sgt. David DeCarlis.

Erich's wife of 43 years, Helen Jones Erich, 78, "didn't want to be alone without him," DeCarlis said.

"So they basically came up with this plan," said DeCarlis.

Not wanting to create a commotion in their Beverly Hills neighborhood, the Erichs checked in at the Days Inn Tuesday evening, DeCarlis said. Then shortly before 12:25 p.m. the next day, the murder-suicide occurred.

A maid discovered the bodies minutes later.

"They wanted to be found," DeCarlis said.

So they would not ruin the bed mattress, the two lay down on the floor atop a blanket and pillows. They lay parallel to one of the room's two twin beds, in between it and a window.

Raymond shot Helen with a .357-caliber revolver, then shot himself, police said.

In the note, they apologized for any inconvenience they might have caused in the hotel.

The note provided information about family members and a doctor, and the couple's funeral requests, including the name of a funeral home and their desire to be cremated.

A $200 check made out to the hotel was left to cover costs for cleaning up or replacing the carpet. Also left in the room were a 1968 sales receipt for the gun bearing Raymond's name, and an empty suitcase that the couple took into the room.

At 12:29 p.m., four minutes after the maid found the bodies, Crystal River police arrived.

The bodies were taken to the Medical Examiner's Office, where autopsies will be performed.

Police completed their investigation in the hotel room, DeCarlis said.

-- Suzannah Gonzales can be reached at (352) 860-7312 or sgonzales@sptimes.com.

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