Deputies Probe Murder-Suicide

WACO BAY—Van Zandt County authorities were called to the scene of an apparent murder-suicide Monday afternoon near the Waco Bay area located in the northern part of Van Zandt County.

When deputies arrived at the residence on VZCR 3818, they found Jason Richard Godwin, 25, Wills Point, dead on the front porch of the home.

"We received a 9-1-1 call from Godwin’s estranged wife. She said that she had gotten to the home and that he was saying he was going to kill himself," said Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett.

Burnett said that while officers were en route to the location, the caller advised that Godwin had shot himself.

Burnett said that when deputies entered the house, they found Ethel Crouch, 63, Wills Point, dead of an apparent gun shot wound. Crouch was the estranged wife’s grandmother. Godwin and his estranged wife’s 3-year-old son was also in the house.

"Mrs. Crouch had been killed earlier in the day. After clearing the house, the officers first priority was the child," said Burnett.

"We never know what drives a person to do something like this and it is a horrible tragedy that the survivors have to live with. My heart goes out to all the families involved," said Burnett.