In the quiet town of Skowhegan, Maine, the life of 75-year-old Marie Flewellen came to a tragic end on May 24, 2011. On that Tuesday morning, a distressing call was made to 911 at 10:41 a.m. by Marie's 86-year-old husband, Barbour Flewellen, who reported "two mercy killings" at their Alder Street home. When Skowhegan police officers arrived at the residence, they were met with a grim scene.
After forcing their way into the house, they discovered the bodies of both Marie and Barbour Flewellen in their bed in a second-floor bedroom.
The investigation by the Maine State Police pointed to a murder-suicide. Detectives concluded that Barbour Flewellen had shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. A. 22-caliber revolver was found at the scene, but no suicide note was located to offer any further explanation for the tragic events. The incident left the community in shock, as neighbors described the Flewellens as a pleasant, though frail, couple who largely kept to themselves.
Neighbors recalled seeing the couple just the day before, noting they had been dealing with illness throughout the winter. Marie, an artist who found joy in painting nature scenes from her home overlooking the Kennebec River, had even left a thank-you card for a neighbor the previous evening. The investigation did not indicate the involvement of any other individuals, and the case was closed with Barbour Flewellen as the sole suspect in the death of his wife.
