FILE – A New York State Police logo is shown on a state police officer’s car. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Two deaths in the St. Lawrence County town of Waddington on Sunday were ruled a homicide and suicide, according to NYS Police.
Around 7:45 am Sunday, troopers responded to a crash involving a single vehicle on Route 37 in Waddington.Â
The driver and sole passenger of the car was Yvonne McGrath, 66, from Lisbon. Paramedics at the crash scene observed severe injuries, both from the crash and from a previous altercation.
McGrath was taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, where she later died of her injuries.
Police went to McGrath’s home, which she shared with her husband, Paul McGrath, 70, and found him dead inside their home.
According to an initial investigation, an altercation occurred between Paul and Yvonne at their home earlier on Sunday morning. Police allege that Paul attacked his wife with a hammer and knife while she was in bed.
An autopsy performed at Glens Falls Hospital on Monday morning revealed that Yvonne died due to a large wound on her neck, severe skull fractures, and brain injuries “due to sharp force and severe blunt force injuries,” according to police.
Her death has been ruled a homicide.
The autopsy for Paul McGrath found that he died due to “asphyxia due to hanging.” Police have ruled his death a suicide.