Charlottesville PD: Woman, 81, shot to death in suicide pact as husband survives

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Authorities said an elderly woman was killed Thursday and her husband injured in what appears to have been a suicide pact, the Charlottesville Police Department said.

At about 1:30 p.m., police responded to 301 Monte Vista Ave. for a welfare check. At the scene, officers met with a family member of the couple. Inside the home, officers found the body of 81-year-old Brenda L. Lambert, who was killed by a gunshot, a press release said.

Also inside the residence, officers located 85-year-old James M. Shea Jr., who had serious injuries. An investigation indicated the incident was a planned suicide pact by the couple, according to police. Shea was taken to UVA Health.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at [email protected]. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).