Students Mourn Coach Killed In Murder-Suicide

GASTONIA, N.C.,None — The bodies of a husband and wife were discovered inside of an SUV in the parking lot of the Gastonia Police Department early Sunday morning.

Investigators said 45-year-old Randy Newman and his wife, 47-year-old Laura Newman, died in a murder-suicide. They said they think Randy Newman fatally shot Laura Newman and then killed himself.

A police officer found the bodies at about 2:50 a.m. after noticing that the SUV's brake lights were on. The officer went to the vehicle to see if someone needed assistance and discovered the bodies, police said.

Investigators said there was no history of domestic violence between the couple, but that Randy Newman was battling a mental illness.

"We've determined Mr. Newman had been suffering from depression and trying to work through some of the issues for some time and that depression had been worsening over time," Gastonia Police Sgt. Jimmy Arndt said.

Yates Smith, a neighbor of the couple, said he worked with Randy Newman at Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement for 12 years. Smith said he didn't know his friend was suffering from depression.

"They were really close. Randy, he adored his kids and wife. He lived for them," Smith said.

Laura Newman worked at Ashbrook High School as a cheerleading coach and teacher's assistant. She had been coaching for five years and working as a teacher's assistant for three years. On Monday, members of the cheerleading squad wore their uniforms to school in honor of their coach. Students also wore pins in her memory.

IMAGES: Students Remember Slain Cheerleading Coach

"Laura Newman was an integral part of the Ashbrook family and she was loved by everyone," Principal Page Carver said in a statement. She added that the school is "grief-stricken over this heartbreaking news."

Counselors were at the school Monday to talk to students and staff members.

Rick Christenbury, a spokesman for Mecklenburg County, said the county will look into the possibility of providing grief counselors to help employees deal with the situation.

"This is a very tragic circumstance," Christenbury said in a statement.

Police said they are unsure of exactly what time the couple arrived at the police station.

The couple leaves behind two children, ages 15 and 19. Their 15-year-old son is a student at Ashbrook, and their 19-year-old daughter is a student at UNC Charlotte.

"Our prayers today are with her children and her loved ones," Carver said.

The cheerleading team is working to put together a memorial for Laura Newman at the school's next football game.

WSOC