Two Killed in Smith County; Officials Suspect Murder-Suicide
Posted/updated on: April 16, 2015 at 5:50 am
SMITH COUNTY (Staff/AP) – Officials are investigating a suspected murder-suicide in Smith County. Shortly before 10:15 Thursday morning, a 911 call was received at the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center regarding shooting victims lying in the roadway in the 23000 block of Smith County Road 244. Upon arrival of the responding sheriff’s deputies, two deceased victims were observed in the roadway next to a parked late model Buick sedan. The Buick sedan was later determined to be owned by the male victim.
Smith County Sheriff’s Office Detectives and the SCSO Crime Scene Unit responded to assist in the investigation. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the two deceased individuals were married and had recently separated. A passerby was driving by on County Road 244 and observed the male shoot the female with a shotgun, according to an SCSO news release. The couple are identified as Mechelle Evette Bell, 35, of Tyler and Delithro Rodriquez Bell, 41. Both had recently lived in the Jackson Heights area within several miles of the incident. Delithro Bell’s uncle is reported to live in the vicinity of the shooting. Delithro Bell played on Chapel Hill’s 1989 state championship football team and later played football for the University of Houston.
All evidence and investigation at this time indicates the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide, according to Sheriff Larry Smith. But Smith says the investigation is continuing until all available witnesses have been identified and interviewed. Sheriff’s detectives have received additional information related to these two individuals which supports their suspicion of murder-suicide, according to Smith.
Smith County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger responded to the scene for an inquest and ordered autopsies on both victims. The autopsies will be performed at the Southwest Forensic facility in Smith County. Should you have information related to this or any other crimes, you’re asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.
