Updated Feb. 9, 3:13 p.m.–
Citrus Heights police said an 85-year-old woman committed suicide in front of a Walgreens store on Greenback Lane Monday afternoon, after officers found her with three “self-inflicted” gunshot wounds to her chest.
Sgt. Jason Baldwin said officers responded to a call shortly after 12 p.m. regarding the well-being of an elderly woman seated in front of Walgreens, at the corner of Greenback Lane and Dewey Drive. After starting medical, Baldwin said officers shortly discovered a firearm “around the area of her leg,” and three small-caliber gunshot wounds to her chest.
The woman, later identified by the Sacramento County Coroner’s office as Mary Mosier of Citrus Heights, was described by Baldwin as “semi-responsive” when officers arrived. She was then transported to a hospital and pronounced deceased.
Baldwin said a two-hour investigation was conducted on scene following the incident, in order to rule out any possibilities of “foul play” or murder.
“After a complete investigation of the incident, it was concluded that it was a suicide,” Sgt. Baldwin told The Sentinel by phone Tuesday morning. “No foul play is suspected.”
Asked to confirm if gunshots were fired outside Walgreens, Baldwin said “from what we gather, yes, that is where she committed suicide. It appears this was a planned suicide by her.”
Citrus Heights police are also investigating another death on Monday as a possible suicide, where a 46-year-old woman was found dead in an apartment on the 12000 block of Fair Oaks Boulevard around 12:05 a.m. on Feb. 8.
Sgt. Baldwin said both deaths are isolated and “unfortunate.” He said police are still investigating the death on Fair Oaks Boulevard and was not able to confirm it was a suicide.
[See story: Investigation: woman shot, killed at Citrus Heights apartment]
Baldwin said anyone experiencing great depression or suicidal thoughts can contact the Citrus Heights Police Department to be connected with a variety of resources. “We just like people to know that hope is not lost, and they can always reach out to us.”
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According to suicide prevention resources, warning indicators of suicide can include talking about feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, and other behavior or mood signs.
A local Suicide Prevention Hotline, operated by WellSpace Health, can be reached at (916) 368-3111. The group says its hotline is also available for those concerned about friends or loved ones who may be suicidal.
Update: Police later confirmed in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon that a suicide note had been located for the 85-year-old woman. The news release also confirmed that the 46-year-old’s death on Fair Oaks Boulevard involved a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
