LACEYVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A former fire chief, his wife and their
son were found slain inside their rural northeastern Pennsylvania
home, each shot in the head with a shotgun, state police said
Thursday.
The bodies of Joseph Colegrove, 60, his wife, Marlene Colegrove,
56, and their son Michael Colegrove, 36, were discovered Wednesday
night by a woman who went to their house to check on them, state
police said in a search warrant affidavit.
Police declined to comment at the scene, a two-story gray wood
home that the warrant said was being searched for blood, weapons,
phone and electronic records and other items.
Bradford County prosecutor Albert Ondrey declined to comment on
whether there is a suspect or provide any other details about the
murder scene outside Laceyville, a rural town of 400 situated 30
miles northwest of Scranton.
Police and prosecutors announced a news conference about the
case Friday in Towanda.
Joe Colegrove's 40 years with the Goodwill Fire Company in
Laceyville included 13 years as chief. He owned a barbershop across
the street from the fire hall that town residents described as an
irreplaceable element of the community.
"It's just a shocker," said Keith Bluhm, 55, working at a
nearby variety store. "Everybody that's come in the store today
says, 'Who wouldn't like Joe?"'
A candle, flowers and a red toy fire truck were left outside
Joe's Barber Shop, and a wreath hung from the front of the fire
company headquarters.
Marlene Colegrove was active with the ladies' auxiliary and
drove a Wyalusing Area School District bus for about two decades. A
yellow school bus was parked in the yard Thursday, and firewood was
stacked neatly at the back of the house.
She drove Eric Eberlin's 7-year-old to school every day, Eberlin
recalled from behind the butcher counter at his store, EB's Market
in Laceyville.
"It's a heck of a shock," he said. "Tough day for Laceyville,
that's for sure."
Goodwill Fire Chief Scott Fisher said Michael Colegrove had been
active in the fire company when he was younger, and more recently
had suffered from health problems.
"You couldn't ask for a better family," he said Thursday.
"They've done a ton for the community."
Autopsies were scheduled for Friday in Allentown.