In a tragic sequence of events that unfolded in Lincoln, Nebraska, 58-year-old Eric Garten, a White/Caucasian male, died on April 13, 2019. The incident, which took place at a private residence, also involved his wife, Rachel Swetland Garten, age 54. Authorities were called to the home, where they discovered both individuals with gunshot wounds.
Further investigation by the Lincoln Police Department revealed the incident to be a murder-suicide.
It was determined that Eric Garten shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. Rachel Garten was initially found critically injured and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries a few days later on April 16, 2019.
The investigation did not lead to the search for any outside suspects, as all evidence pointed to Eric Garten as the sole perpetrator in the death of his wife before taking his own life. The case was subsequently closed following the determination of the events as a murder-suicide. In the home, investigators found a significant number of firearms and ammunition. Eric Garten was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a retired employee of the City of Lincoln Water System.
