Sheriff's office: Martinez funeral home director dies in suspected suicide, another shot

The son of the former coroner for Columbia County recently was connected to an apparent suicide and a shooting in Augusta.

Thomas "Tommy" King Jr. was pronounced dead at about 10 p.m. Thursday at a home on the 2500 block of Henry Street in Augusta. Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. John Perry reported that he was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound along with a woman who had been shot.

While Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirmed the death, he said he could not confirm whether or not it was a suicide until the Georgia Bureau of Investigation concludes its autopsy.

King was the head mortician of Thomas L. King Funeral Home and Cremation Services. He ran for Columbia County Coroner in 2016 and is the son of Tommy King Sr., the Columbia County coroner from 1972 until his death in 2006. His father is also the namesake for Columbia County's morgue.

The woman who was shot was transported to the hospital for treatment. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office provided no further information on her health as of Saturday.

Rabid Animals:Fourth rabid raccoon found in Columbia County this year

Sammie Sias Scandal:Judge rules Sammie Sias, ex-commissioner, will not get a new trial