In the quiet town of Bristol, Vermont, a tragedy unfolded in early December of 2019, leaving a family and community in mourning. A 70-year-old White/Caucasian woman named Candice Guilmette, known affectionately as "Kande," was found deceased in her home on Upper Notch Road. Her life was cut short in an act of violence that also claimed the life of her husband.
Concern had grown among out-of-state relatives when they were unable to reach Candice or her 71-year-old husband, Gary.
They had last spoken with the couple on the evening of Saturday, November 30th. After a couple of days with no contact, a neighbor was asked to check on them on Monday, December 2nd. The neighbor made the grim discovery of both Candice and Gary inside their home and immediately alerted the authorities.
The investigation by the Vermont State Police quickly determined that the incident was a murder-suicide. The Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington performed autopsies and concluded that Candice Guilmette's death was a homicide caused by a rifle wound to the neck. Gary Guilmette's death was ruled a suicide, resulting from a rifle wound to the head. The evidence indicated that Gary Guilmette shot his wife before turning the weapon on himself. No other suspects were sought as the investigation concluded that Gary was solely responsible for Candice's death.
As investigators delved into the motive behind the shocking event, a possible contributing factor emerged. It was learned that Gary Guilmette had experienced a significant medical event earlier in 2019. Authorities explored whether this medical issue might have altered his mental state and played a role in the tragic events that transpired. Friends and family were left to grapple with the devastating loss of a couple who were described as kind and loving partners, parents, and grandparents.
