In the quiet town of Moscow, Washington, a tragedy unfolded in August of 1997 that left friends and neighbors in disbelief. Barbara L. Farr, a 54-year-old woman, became the victim of a shocking act of violence that ended her life. She and her husband, 70-year-old Elmer L. Farr, were known in their community as a quiet and likable couple who managed an apartment complex where they also resided.
For 14 years, they were a familiar presence to the tenants, with Barbara showing vacant units and Elmer meticulously maintaining the grounds. Those who knew them saw a couple who seemed to get along well, never showing any outward signs of trouble.
The peace was shattered on the evening of Thursday, August 14th, when Barbara Farr made a desperate 911 call for help. As Moscow police officers were approaching the couple's apartment on East Fifth Street around 9 p.m., they heard the sound of three gunshots. Inside, they discovered a grim scene. Barbara was found in a rear bedroom, conscious but bleeding from gunshot wounds to her chest and arm. In another bedroom, Elmer Farr lay dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A. 380-caliber handgun was also recovered at the scene.
Barbara was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries and died on Friday afternoon. The incident was classified by police as a murder-suicide, with Elmer Farr being the sole suspect in his wife's death. The motive behind the violent outburst remained a mystery to investigators and the community. Police reported that the couple had no history of violence, and there were no apparent financial or health issues that could have foreshadowed the tragedy. Friends and neighbors were left baffled, describing the Farrs as calm, quiet, and lovely people, making the sudden violence all the more incomprehensible.
