Sheriff’s Office investigating deaths of a Chalmette married couple in their ‘70s; Deaths are unclassified pending an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of a married couple, both in their ‘70s, who were found dead in their home on Monday morning, but the deaths are unclassified pending an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“We are releasing few details until an autopsy is done,’’ the sheriff said. “This could be a murder-suicide involving the husband, who was 74, and the wife, who was 71.’’

“There are extenuating circumstances that affect what the classification of deaths may be and we won’t go into that pending the autopsy.’’

Sheriff Pohlmann continued, “There are absolutely no indications a third party was involved, including no evidence of a forced entry of the home.’’ Cash and valuables were on the scene with no indications anything was removed, he said.

A sitter for the couple found them dead when she came to the home about 8:15 a.m. on Monday.