On January 23, 2024, a tragic incident occurred at the Addington Place assisted living facility in St. Petersburg, Florida. Thomas Dowler, 81, fatally shot his wife, Susan Dowler, 76, before taking his own life. The couple had been married for over 40 years and were known to be deeply devoted to each other.
Susan Dowler had been a resident at Addington Place since December 14, 2023, as she was recovering from a recent surgery due to diverticulitis. Despite her health issues, including multiple sclerosis and severe arthritis, Susan was described as being in good spirits and actively engaging with her surroundings. The day before the incident, she had a doctor's appointment and was hopeful about returning home in a couple of weeks.
On the morning of January 23, a nurse, Mary Wildgoose, made her routine rounds and found the bodies of the Dowlers around 10:10 a.m. Susan had been shot in the temple while lying in bed, and Thomas Dowler's body was found on the floor near the bed with a black Ruger LCR .38-caliber revolver beside him.
Before the incident, Thomas Dowler had written a note explaining his actions. In the note, he mentioned that Susan's health had deteriorated to the point where she would never walk again, and he could not bear to see her in such a condition. He stated that this decision was his alone and that he did not want to live without his wife.
The police investigation revealed that Thomas Dowler had made arrangements for their funeral, including a business card for a Michigan funeral home indicating that the arrangements had been made and paid for. The couple's condo, located in the Isla Key complex in St. Petersburg, was also searched by police, where they found the handwritten note along with other instructions for the family.
The incident has been characterized as a murder-suicide, a type of event that experts say often involves older couples facing significant health issues and emotional distress. Despite the shock and confusion among their family and friends, it is clear that Thomas Dowler's actions were motivated by his deep love for his wife and his inability to cope with her suffering and his own declining mobility.
