Police ID victims in murder-suicide near Wausau

Wausau Pilot & Review

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE, text “START” to 88788 or chat live here. In Wausau, The Women’s Community is open 24 hours and can be reached at 715-842-5663. In an emergency, dial 911.

The victims in a May 28 apparent murder-suicide near Wausau have been identified as 63-year-old Patrick J. Eppolite and 53-year-old Valerie J. McCarthy, according to a Marathon County Sheriff’s Department release.

An investigation began when a bystander called 911 to request a welfare check on a person sitting inside a vehicle with the door open. The caller told police the person and vehicle were in the same position the previous night.

Deputies responded to a home on Junction Road in the town of Easton to discover both Eppolite and McCarthy dead of gunshot wounds, calling the shooting a domestic violence incident. Autopsies were performed on both victims.

Court records show a history of conflict between the two victims.

Police have not released any additional details and say the case is now closed.