Assault Charges Might Play Role in Tulsa Murder Suicide

More details are coming out about a couple who died Tuesday in what Tulsa Police say was a murder suicide. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says Richard and Toni Bonney were found shot dead in

Wednesday, January 24th 2007, 10:10 am

By: News On 6

More details are coming out about a couple who died Tuesday in what Tulsa Police say was a murder suicide.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says Richard and Toni Bonney were found shot dead in their home and police believe Richard Bonney killed his wife, then himself.

The mother of Toni Bonney said that Richard was "driven to this tragedy by false accusations." He was facing criminal charges and days ago had learned he would be facing trial.

The couple lived in a home that's typical of the neighborhood, small, brick, and well kept. Tulsa Police went there to check on Toni Bonney.

A picture of Toni was taken for a news story on the News on 6, back in 1999. Police found Toni and her three dogs and her husband, all shot dead. Tulsa Police officer Jason Willingham says suicide notes were found at the home and family members got copies in the mail. "There were several different suicide notes, from her and him. It appears it was a murder suicide. That's the way we're investigating it. By the looks of the notes, she was a willing participant, knew what was going to happen."

Police continue to investigate, but sources familiar with the suicide notes say the motivation for the shooting was a criminal charge against Richard Bonney. Bonney was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after a car was rear ended on Interstate 244. His tag number reported by two witnesses and their descriptions matched Bonney's truck.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers found a small scuff on the front bumper of Bonney's truck and minor damage on the back bumper of the victim's truck. Police say it was 43 year old Richard Bonney who fired the shots.

Richard Bonney worked for American Airlines and had no prior criminal record. He married Toni Bonney in 1994. The couple had no children and friends describe them as devoted to each other and their three dogs.

Wednesday, family members were making funeral plans and trying to understand why two people apparently had rather die than face the charges against one of them.

The collision that led to the charges against Richard Bonney happened right after Thanksgiving. Last Friday, he was in court and ordered to trial.

Sometime over the weekend the suicide notes were mailed out, in time to arrive Tuesday. The bodies were found before the notes arrived.