In May of 2015, a request for a welfare check led to a grim discovery at a home on Green Valley Road in Union Bridge, Maryland. Responding troopers from the Frederick Barrack were unable to make contact with the residents and, after observing a deceased dog inside, decided to force entry into the locked home.
Inside, authorities found the bodies of 72-year-old Cornelia M. Cheston and her husband, 71-year-old Elliott B. Cheston, Jr. Cornelia Cheston was found with a gunshot wound.
Elliott Cheston was also found deceased in an upstairs bedroom with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two other dogs were also found deceased in the home.
The investigation into the deaths of the couple was handled by the Maryland State Police, who began treating the case as a possible murder-suicide. The daughter of Cornelia Cheston had initially contacted authorities after not hearing from her mother and stepfather since April 30th. Police also learned that Elliott Cheston was in legal possession of explosives, which prompted the involvement of the state fire marshal. The Frederick County State's Attorney's office was also made aware of the ongoing investigation.
