Two bodies identified; foul play not suspected

The deaths of a Bluff Springs Road couple remain a mystery as investigators say they found no signs of foul play following the discovery of their bodies inside their locked house Saturday.

?This is very unusual,? said sheriff?s investigator Jackie Matheny Jr. ?There are no signs of trauma to either of them so we don?t believe any foul play was involved.?

The bodies of Gloria Jean Lawrence, 58, and her ex-husband, Michael Dale Paul, 53, have been identified. Deputies broke down the door to gain entry after being called to the house by Lawrence?s daughter, who had not been able to contact her mother for days.

?We found a paper dated July 28 inside the house and neighbors said they hadn?t seen the vehicle moved outside for about a week so we?re thinking they could have been dead for as long as a week,? Matheny said.

Investigators had to use airpacks as the victims had begun to decompose despite air conditioning inside the house. Due to the different stages of decomposition, investigators believe Lawrence died before Paul.

Matheny said signs pointed to a potential double death by natural causes, or one natural death and suicide. However, any suicide would not have been by violent means given the lack of trauma. Toxicology reports could take several days, or even weeks.

?They were both in bad health and she had come here to care for him,? Matheny said. ?We don?t think they harmed each other in any murder/suicide type thing, nor do we believe this was a double homicide.?

The house was locked securely from the inside with deadbolts and regular locks all engaged. Matheny said at this point he is convinced there is no crime to investigate.