Eileen Shevelin, the 78-year-old woman found dead in her home, is the victim in a murder-suicide, killed by her son, according to autopsy results released May 27 by the New Hampshire attorney general.
Thomas Wallace, 57, killed his mother in her 395 Dover Point Road home by asphyxiation, ruled a homicide. Wallace then died by suicide, using a handgun inside the home, according to AG John Formella and Dover Police Chief David Terlemezian. They cited the autopsies conducted by the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Wallace died by a single gunshot to the head.
The deaths occurred between May 25 and 26, authorities stated. The bodies were found when Dover police responded to a welfare check at 9 a.m. May 26. Shevelin’s body was found in her bed.
Eileen Shevelin and her dog were beloved by elderly in Dover
Eileen Shevelin of Dover spent many years in the past volunteering with her golden retriever at Dover assisted living facilities Langdon Place, Bellamy Assisted Living, and Watson Fields Assisted Living, according to Kelly Degan, an employee of Langdon Place.
Foster’s Daily Democrat published a 2010 article about Shevelin volunteering at Langdon Place, where residents gave her dog, Jake, a birthday party. The article states she and Jake volunteered five days per week before the dog reached old age.
If you need help
Seacoast Media Group provides the following information in stories where domestic violence is suspected:
Haven, a violence prevention and support services center in southeastern New Hampshire, provides 24/7 confidential hotline support at 603-994-SAFE (7233).
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat. Reporting by Karen Dandurant, Foster’s Daily Democrat.
