In the quiet mountain town of Silverthorne, Colorado, the tranquility was shattered on February 10, 2015, by a domestic tragedy that claimed the life of 73-year-old Dorthe McNaul. The grim discovery was made by deputies from the Summit County Sheriff's Office after they were called to the McNaul residence for a welfare check at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Inside the home, they found a scene of violence that would be ruled the county's first recorded murder-suicide.
Investigators determined that Dorthe McNaul had been shot multiple times by her 75-year-old husband, James McNaul, before he turned the gun on himself, taking his own life with a single gunshot wound to the head. A. 45 caliber handgun was found with James on the couch, while Dorthe was discovered lying on the floor. The investigation suggested that the gun was fired from less than two feet away. Evidence of multiple gunshots was found throughout the house. Toxicology reports later indicated that neither drugs nor alcohol were contributing factors in the violent event.
The motive behind the shocking act appeared to be rooted in the couple's long history together, which was coming to a contentious end. After 52 years of marriage, Dorthe and James McNaul had recently filed for divorce. Friends and acquaintances of the couple expressed their shock, describing them as 'good people' and active members of their community. Both had been volunteers with organizations such as the Summit Range Association and the Summit Historical Society. Dorthe was remembered for her caring nature, even as she battled cancer, while James was known for his hard work and involvement in safety talks at the local shooting range.
The Summit County Sheriff's Office concluded that James McNaul acted alone in the murder of his wife before taking his own life. As he was the sole perpetrator and was deceased, no arrests were made in connection with Dorthe McNaul's death. The investigation, with assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, officially closed the case as a murder-suicide, leaving a community to grapple with the tragic end of a long-term relationship.
