Washington husband accused of killing wife after initially reporting her death as suicide

SPOKANE, Wash. (TCD) -- A 55-year-old man is accused of killing his wife after he initially reported her shooting death as a suicide.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said in a Jan. 20 statement that deputies arrested Dean Ayers for second-degree murder. Deputies responded to the residence on the 28900 block of North Perry two days prior at approximately 11 p.m. after Ayers called to say his wife shot herself in the head. Emergency personnel transported Ayers' wife, who The Spokesman-Review identified as Shannon Ayers, to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she later died.

According to the Sheriff’s Office statement, deputies noticed "several inconsistencies" at the scene, which allegedly made them believe Shannon Ayers did not actually commit suicide. The Spokesman Review reports deputies arrived to find Shannon Ayers in her bedroom holding a 9mm gun in her hand. Dean Ayers reportedly informed deputies that he and Shannon had an argument before she shot herself with the gun he leaves under his pillow.

The medical examiner reportedly noted the gun was held eight to 12 inches away from Shannon’s head when the pistol went off. The bullet reportedly entered through the left side of her head and exited the right, according to The Spokesman-Review. Dean Ayers also allegedly told deputies inconsistent stories about where he put the gun, which led deputies to arrest him on Jan. 20.

According to Spokane County Jail records, Ayers is being held on $1 million bail.

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