Published: November 05, 2009 08:28 am      

NEW – Coroner: Philly-area man killed wife, self

LEVITTOWN — Authorities in suburban Philadelphia say a man involved in a bitter divorce case shot and killed his wife and then himself.

Bucks County Coroner Joseph Campbell says 54-year-old Russell Vender shot his 52-year-old wife, Ethelyn, twice and then turned the gun on himself. Their bodies were found Tuesday in their Levittown home.

The two had been married for 35 years, but according to court records the woman had recently filed for divorce. Her attorney, however, had sought postponement of the case, saying the husband had recently injured his back and the couple wanted time to try to resolve their differences.

Ethelyn Vender had alleged in court records that her husband had threatened her, but there is no indication that she sought a protection-from-abuse order and he was apparently never charged with any crime.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.philly.com