Dead man upset over bills, health problems, cops say (What have we become?)

September 15, 2009 - 2:00 AM

TOWN OF NEWBURGH — Town police believe the man who shot and killed his wife and then killed himself Sunday morning had become frustrated by money and health problems.

Officials said Richard Benson, 74, shot Florence, 75, twice as she was emerging from her bedroom and walking down the stairs of their rented condo on Westbrook Road. He was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs and shot upwards, Newburgh town police Lt. Michael Clancy said.

She was found in her nightgown about two-thirds up the stairway. Richard then sat in a chair in the living room and shot himself.

"It was an extremely messy scene," Clancy said. "The family is having a hard time dealing with this. ... It is very sad."

The couple's five children have told police that their father was a hard-working man, who loved his wife and family and had no interest in guns or hunting, but was growing frustrated. He'd retired from IBM while in his 60s, Clancy said, but took another job to pay bills. He'd lost his job earlier this year but was returning to work for Verizon.

Florence had Alzheimer's, or a similar condition, and Richard suffered from heart problems, Clancy said. As Florence became more forgetful, the bills continued to arrive and his own health deteriorated, Richard's stress escalated.

The two had rented the upscale condominium in the Stony Brook Condominiums for 12 years.

They had been married for decades. Their children told police Richard was devoted to Florence and also close with them.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, Richard was waiting outside Thruway Sporting Goods in Walden. He was there to buy a 12-gauge shotgun.

On Sunday morning, the couple's son James, 45, who lived in the home, heard the shots from his bedroom and placed the 911 call. Police don't believe James had anything to do with the shooting.

Richard and Florence took a number of medications. The investigation will remain open while a toxicology report is performed, police say. The results won't be known for several weeks. Autopsies were scheduled for Monday at Arden Hill Hospital.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090915/NEWS/909150307

we're all "oh no! why???? " -- and when the answer is 'money' it shifts to "Ah, that explains it'. As though it's become accepted to kill oneself due to financial problems. That it's okay money runs every aspect of our life -- and death. As if if you don't have money, why bother living? :grr:

I am so sorry and heartbroken to learn of this. :cry:

We don't take care of each other. People are left to flounder all alone, with no help.

As is thinking you'll die and leave her alone with that disease...

I'll put no judgment on this man nor politicize his actions nor motive.

The thought of leaving her alone with Alzheimers was probably overwhelming to the poor man.

This is so sad.

:cry: