Phoenix police investigate murder-suicide

Phoenix fire fighters responded to a fire in the north valley Tuesday and found two people dead inside a home.

It happened near 43rd Avenue and Grovers, which is near Union Hills. Police believe this was likely a murder-suicide.

What exactly happened remains under investigation, but records indicate the home the couple has owned since the 80's was recently taken away because of a tax lien.

We also found out that the new owner, a local attorney, gave them several opportunities to pay off their debt, and that several notices to vacate had been served and the couple was already supposed to be out of the house.

The homeowner was also due to appear in court Tuesday morning for an upcoming trial related to an aggravated DUI, according to the Arizona Superior Court website.

"The economy is hitting everybody. It hit them too they've been through a couple businesses and just trying to fight their way back," said neighbor Kevin Ekstrom.

Kevin Ekstrom describes his neighbors as good people, hit hard by the economy. News of what happened Tuesday morning is tough to comprehend.

"I wish I could say that it was their health. I know that they have been working on it for a while, having a tough time."

It was just after 8 a.m. that firefighters were called to the home that sits on the corner of 41st Drive. Heavy smoke billowed from inside.

"The second engine came by, I came outside, we saw a bunch of smoke come out of the patio," said neighbor Roy Odeo.

"It happened awfully fast," said Jeff McConnell.

"As they worked their way through the house they worked their way to the master bedroom of the home. That is the location where the victims were found," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Trent Crump.

Sgt. Crump says both people suffered from gunshot wounds. A weapon and accelerant were found in the home, where six different fires had been set.

Sharon Smith relied on the couple for support when her husband passed a few years ago. She watched the scene, saddened her friends didn't reach out to her.

"When you know somebody and you don't know if you can help them or not it's sad," said Smith.

The victims' names won't be released until family is notified. Animal control was also on scene -- we were told by neighbors the couple had anywhere from 20 to 25 cats. They were found in the backyard.