Couple’s Deaths Believed Murder-Suicide

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith says authorities believe Monday’s double shooting in Pine Springs was a murder-suicide. Smith says he thinks the evidence will show that the husband fatally shot his wife, and then himself. Smith County authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of the couple on County Road 334 in the Pine Springs area. It was reported just before 3:00 Monday afternoon. Dead at the scene were Billy Hays, 68, and Bonnie Hays, 71. Prior to the shooting a deputy had been to the home to take a report of a burglary and assault that occurred a couple of weeks ago. About an hour after the deputy left, the call came in concerning two persons dead in the home. The bodies have been sent to Dallas for autopsy.