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Rhode Island Dietician Allegedly Gunned Down By Husband In Suspected Murder-Suicide
Rhode Island law enforcement agencies now say that Eric Huard shot and killed his wife, Courtney Huard, on June 22 while the couple's children were home, and then turned the gun on himself.
The deaths of a Rhode Island couple who were fatally shot in their home more than a month ago has been ruled a murder-suicide by authorities.
Courtney Huard, 42, and Eric Huard, 51, were found shot to death in their Cumberland home on June 22. The couple’s three children were inside the home at the time of the pair of killings. Officials now suspect Courtney Hurad was a “victim of domestic homicide.”
On Wednesday, authorities announced that Eric Huard fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.
“We are reminded that there are three children who lost their parents, and two families that are devastated by the loss of their loved ones,” Cumberland Police Chief Matthew Benson said on July 22. “Our thoughts continue to be with them at this time.”
The couple’s shooting was jointly investigated by the Rhode Island State Police, Attorney General Peter Neronha’s’s office and the Office of State Medical Examiners.
Police were dispatched to the couple’s home at 28 Birchwood Drive in Cumberland on June 22, following reports that two adults had been shot. Upon arrival, Courtney Huard and Eric Huard were found inside the residence, both with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The couple’s three children were unharmed in the incident.
In the immediate aftermath of the killings, it wasn’t clear if police were actively searching for any suspects. Cumberland Police previously stated the incident didn’t not appear to be a “random act of violence.”
No further information was released by authorities regarding the open investigation this week. A spokesperson for the Cumberland Police Department didn't immediately respond to Oxygen.com's request for comment on Tuesday afternoon.
Courtney Huard was described as “loving and dedicated mother,” according to her obituary. The Rhode Island mom, who worked as a dietician, was the owner and operator of True Self Nutrition Counseling LLC in Cumberland, according to her LinkedIn profile. She graduated from Rhode Island University, obtaining a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in nutrition in 2003 and 2006, respectively.
“Those in the community would always see her on the sidelines of her children's events with a bright smile cheering them on,” Courtney Huard’s obituary stated. “She also enjoyed riding her bike, running and walking her dogs Luna and Pearl. Those who love her will always remember her love for her family, her gift to talk, especially to her close friends and family on the phone.”
Eric Huard worked as a lineman for National Grid for the past five years, his obituary said.
He previously served as the Aquatic Athletics Director at a YMCA and worked as a photographer at the Pawtucket Times.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $93,000 for the couple’s children in the wake of their parents’ abrupt deaths.
