Preliminary autopsy reports shed light on deaths in Taylor County

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Preliminary autopsy results shed some light on the deaths of a man and woman found deceased earlier this month in south Taylor County.

Initial statements from the Taylor County Sheriff's Office on July 10 were that two bodies were found, but "no foul play" was suspected.

The Reporter-News filed an open records request Wednesday for the preliminary autopsy reports and received the initial reports Thursday from the court clerk for the Precinct 3 justice of the peace.

Suella Barnes Martin, 79, was pronounced dead July 9 by Judge Earl Donnell, who is the Precinct 3 justice of the peace.

Her cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was homicide, according to a medical examiner's report.

Tim Jake Martin, 70, was also pronounced dead July 9 from a gunshot wound, according to a medical examiner's report. His manner of death was suicide.

Awaiting full results

Donnell confirmed in a phone interview Thursday that he was called on July 9 to pronounce time of death for two bodies found in south Taylor County.

Donnell said a family member had been staying with Tim and Suella Martin at the time in their home off County Road 254 in south Taylor County.

The unnamed family member found them deceased and subsequently called the authorities.

Donnell said he was called by dispatchers to pronounce their time of death. He then ordered two autopsies.

The preliminary autopsy reports came back July 11.

Donnell said the full autopsy report is not yet complete, and he does not want to speculate on the manner of Suella's death.

'No foul play'

On July 10, the Reporter-News contacted the Taylor County Sheriff's Office for a comment on the discovery of the bodies.

"This is an ongoing investigation, no foul play is suspected," Lt. Mardi Hargis with the Taylor County Sheriff's Office said in an email.

In addition, Sheriff Ricky Bishop said in an interview that he wanted to assure citizens "there is no danger to the public."

But he declined to release how the two people died or where exactly they were found.

Seven days later, the Abilene Police Department discovered a possible murder-suicide in the city in the early morning hours of July 17 and put out a press-release that day.

Police suspect Narsiso Alamilla, 47, and Baby Costancio, 49, died Wednesday in a murder-suicide, according to the statement. They were in a dating relationship.

Initial report of the deceasedQuestions surround two dead bodies found in Taylor County

Abilene's murder-suicidePolice investigate possible murder-suicide