Francis Sullens Alberta Sullens

SULLENS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 9/2/2008 at 09:34:19

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Oct. 12, 1989

KELLOGG DEATHS RULED MURDER AND SUICIDE

The Jasper County medical eaxaminer has ruled that the deaths of two Kellogg residents were a murder and a suicide.

The bodies of Francis Sullens, 87, and his wife Alberta, 84, were found Sept. 27 in their home, dead of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dr. Pat Edwards, the medical examiner, said Francis Sullens committed suicide but that Alberta Sullens was a homicide victim because she suffered from Alzheimer's disease. The disease, Edwards said, made her unable to decide whether she wanted to commit suicide.

The couple's car was running in the basement garage and caused the carbon monoxide deaths, authorities said.