Domestic Homicide and Homicide-Suicide: The Older Offender

The importance of clarifying the features characteristic of older homicide offenders is highlighted by recent research that indicates an increase in rates of homicides followed by suicides of older perpetrators. In a retrospective study of data from coroners' files on domestic homicides involving individuals killed by an older spouse or family member (65+ years of age) over a 15-year period in Quebec, Canada, we identified several specific offender and victim characteristics and circumstances surrounding the offenses. The homicide was frequently followed by the suicide of the perpetrator. Several victims had pre-existing medical illnesses, indicating that the offenses may have been committed by individuals who were caregivers to chronically ill spouses. At the time of the offense, most of the perpetrators had a mental illness, usually depressive disorder, but few had received psychiatric help. The impact of mental illness on domestic homicide-suicide is indicated, underscoring the importance of identifying existing psychopathology.