Ursula Cabalzar, aged 68, tragically lost her life on August 7, 2017, in Santa Clara, California. The circumstances surrounding her death were both shocking and sorrowful. Ursula was fatally shot by her husband, Michael Reyer, who was 75 years old at the time. Following the shooting, Reyer turned the gun on himself, resulting in a murder-suicide. The incident took place at their home on Homestead Road, where the bodies of both Ursula and Michael were discovered by the police.
Michael Reyer left behind a note explaining his actions. He believed that Ursula was experiencing a mental decline, although she had not been formally diagnosed with dementia. This belief led him to take the drastic and tragic step of ending both their lives. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office confirmed the identities of the deceased and the cause of death as gunshot wounds. The firearm used in the incident was registered to Michael Reyer.
The case was classified as a murder-suicide, and there were no arrests or suspects beyond Michael Reyer. The police investigation concluded that Reyer acted alone, driven by his perception of Ursula's mental health condition. The couple had been married for over ten years and did not have any children. Authorities emphasized the importance of seeking help in similar situations, highlighting that murder-suicide is never the answer and that various services are available for those in need.
This tragic event marked the second homicide in Santa Clara for the year 2017. The community was left in shock, and the incident underscored the critical need for mental health awareness and support.
