Man Shot Wife Before Shooting Self: ME Report

The couple was found dead inside a Valley Center home on Tuesday

The two people found dead inside a Valley Center home earlier this week were married, a report from the Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed.

San Diego County sheriff's deputies found a man and woman dead inside a home on Littlefield Lane at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday after receiving a 911 call reporting two people had been shot in the home.

There were two adult family members also in the home at the time of the shooting who were not injured, deputies said.

A report released Thursday by the Medical Examiner’s office revealed a few more details of what now appears to be a murder-suicide.

According to the ME’s office, Miguel Ataide, 41 (pictured above), allegedly fatally shot his wife, Eleonore Ataide, 48 (pictured below) before shooting himself that night.

The report says Miguel’s mother heard him arguing with Eleonore inside the home. Moments later, shots were heard and Miguel’s mother found him in the hallway.

He allegedly stated he had shot his wife, then went into his bedroom and closed the door.

His mother called 911. Once deputies arrived, they confirmed Miguel had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound of the head. His death has been deemed a suicide, while his wife’s is being investigated as a homicide.

Detectives are still trying to determine a motive for the murder-suicide and say no other parties were involved in this case.

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