Charlottesville PD: Woman, 81, shot to death in suicide pact as husband survives

CHARLOTTESVILLE — Authorities said an elderly woman was killed Thursday and her husband injured in what appears to have been a suicide pact, the Charlottesville Police Department said.

At about 1:30 p.m., police responded to 301 Monte Vista Ave. for a welfare check. At the scene, officers met with a family member of the couple. Inside the home, officers found the body of 81-year-old Brenda L. Lambert, who was killed by a gunshot, a press release said.

Also inside the residence, officers located 85-year-old James M. Shea Jr., who had serious injuries. An investigation indicated the incident was a planned suicide pact by the couple, according to police. Shea was taken to UVA Health.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).