SAN ANTONIO – A couple whose bodies were found in their South Side home died as the result of a murder-suicide, San Antonio police said.
The bodies of Mario Chavaria, 46, and Graciela Zamora, 44, were discovered around 10 p.m. Thursday inside their home in the 200 block of Myrick Boulevard.
Assistant police Chief Anthony Trevino said the couple's son was concerned after not being able to reach them by phone and decided to stop by the home.
"One of their children called and came into the residence, and found the two deceased individuals on the floor," Trevino said.
Police said the son told them that when he arrived at the home, he found the door open and a trail of blood leading to the room where the bodies were located.
Early on, police were calling the case a homicide. However, they released a written report Friday morning, describing the deaths as a murder-suicide. The report said that investigators believe Chavaria shot and killed Zamora, and then killed himself.
Linda Vargas, who lives across the street, said she saw trouble brewing at the home sometime ago.
"They would have barbecues in the backyard, and they were always arguing," Vargas said. "But we didn't think it was going to get to that extreme."
Vargas said a few days ago, she began to notice something even more unusual.
She said a wrought iron gate in front of the couple's home is usually locked, with their car parked inside the fenced in area. But earlier this week, Vargas said she noticed the gate was open and the car only partially in the driveway with its rear wheels in the street.
Vargas said the odd sight remained until the discovery of the bodies. In hindsight, she said it appears someone got out of the car in a hurry and rushed inside the home.
By Friday morning, everything outside the home was back in place. The car was secured within the fenced-in area, along with the family dog.