Mental Health Issues Possible Factor in Apparent Murder-Suicide
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: February 25, 2013
PEKIN - There are new developments in an apparent murder-suicide in Pekin. Mental health issues could have a played a
role in the death of an elderly couple and their son.
What started as suspicion by family members, turned out to be a tragedy
Sunday night. Shortly before 9 a.m.,
authorities entered a home on the 12-hundred block of Highland Avenue in Pekin.
The granddaughter of the elderly residents contacted police after her grandparents
would not answer the phone.
"The family members knew something was wrong, and they couldn't reach the
grandparents, they knew something was wrong," said Detective Don Jolly of the
Pekin Police Department.
Inside the home, they found Ira "Lee" Clemons, 77, and his
wife, Barbara, 75, dead in their beds from apparent gunshot wounds.
Police found the body of their 52-year-old son, Allen Clemons, with a gun
nearby.
Neighbors who knew the couple are shocked.
"Barb and Lee, they were nice people. They really were," said
neighbor Marsha Guengerich.
Mental health issues might be a factor. Police say Allen Clemons had a
history of strange behavior.
"We've been here a few times where the son's behavior was kind of
questionable," said Jolly. "We have some other agencies--ERS, emergency response
were here to basically deal with some psychological issues he had."
Also, troubling were
unusual markings found on the scene. Multiple religiously-themed messages and
crosses were spray-painted in red inside the home, the residents' cars and the neighbor's
home
"You can tell it was obviously someone who psychologically had some
issues," said Jolly.
Ira--who went by Lee, according to neighbors--was Korean War Veteran. He
and his wife were described as kind, quiet people who helped others when they
could.
Guengerich says her husband and Lee worked together and were good
friends. She recalls a few years ago when her husband returned to work from knee
surgery, Lee was always there to help.
She says their death is a tragedy.
"Good people. They were very good people. And it's just a shame. It
makes no sense at all."
Police say all three people lived in the home and authorities are not
looking for any suspects.
It's uncertain who owned the gun.
