Year: 2007 Source: Clinical Interventions in Aging, v.2, no.3, (2007), p.441-452 SIEC No: 20100167

This research used content analysis to analyze 225 murder suicide events among dyads with at least one member 60 years or older. Data were collected from newspaper articles, television news transcripts, police reports, & obituaries published between 1999-2005. Findings suggest the most danger setting was the home & the majority of perpetrators were men. Firearms were most often employed in the violence. Evidence of suicide pacts & mercy killings was very rare. Suicidal men in this age range must be recognized as a potential threat to others, primarily their partner. Strategies for detection & prevention are outlined. (38 refs.)