A retired police officer fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself in a tragic murder-suicide. According to the 911 call, which came through to Ottawa County Central Dispatch in Michigan on September 28, 2024, William Kitzmiller killed his wife Donna Kitzmiller, in what he claimed was a “merciful ending.”
Donna reportedly had Alzheimer’s disease. Both of them were 80 years old at the time of their deaths.
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People obtained the 911 call recording. “I’ve given my wife a merciful ending from her Alzheimer’s disease,” the retired officer says. “And, uh, I am going to follow her now in death.”
In their joint obituary, it mentioned that the couple had been married for 54 years, describing them as “true partners in life.”
“Bill and Donna met while both attending Albion College. They spent their entire careers dedicated to the Grand Haven community,” the obituary reads. “Bill proudly served his country in the US Army, from 1967 to 1970, during the Vietnam War Era. He then became a police officer with the Grand Haven City Police Department and retired as Sergeant after 30 years of service from the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety.”
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The 911 call lasted about three minutes, in which the retired officer relays instructions to the dispatcher. “The front door to the house is open, unlocked,” he said, also explaining that he’d left a note “on the kitchen table with some information.”
“Uh, that’s all,” he added. “Thank you very much.” The dispatcher then proceeded to ask what happened. “What did you do?” The answer he provided was redacted from the call, but following his reply, the dispatcher heard a single gunshot and then the man’s labored breathing before receiving no response from him.
Ottawa County Undersheriff Eric J. DeBoer declined to answer questions regarding the murder-suicide at the moment.
According to the Daily Mail, Records from the town’s medical examiner revealed that the wife was shot in her head and the husband also shot himself in the head.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
