Woman shot husband, self in murder-suicide

9/17/2005

A West Toledo woman shot her estranged husband then shot herself during the city s third murder-suicide this year, authorities said yesterday.

Gary Strzesynski died of multiple gunshot wounds in his neck and chest; his wife, Yvonne, died of a gunshot wound in her head. His death was ruled a homicide, hers a suicide, said Dr. Cynthia Beisser, a Lucas County deputy coroner.

Mrs. Strzesynski s 17-year-old son found them Thursday on the living-room floor inside her one-story home, 2704 Castleton Ave. The teenager then went to a neighbor s house, Sgt. Tim Noble said.

He said the couple, both 38, arrived at the house separately about 2 p.m. and were found less than three hours later.

He was a great son, Charles Strzesynski said of his son as he choked back tears. Gary Strzesynski s brother, Jeff, agreed.

He was a father of three [ages 8 to 14]. He was a great brother, a great son. He loved to fish and hunt every week with his kids. He lived for his kids, he said. How do you go on without a brother, a son, and a father?

Jeff Strzesynski said the couple had been together for about two years and had no children together. They married in February at the county courthouse.

Relatives said Mr. Strzesynski was employed at Murray s Discount Auto for 18 years, most recently as a general manager. He was an up-and-coming salesman selling diamonds, his brother said.

Gary Strzesynski was a 1985 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, where he was a member of the varsity basketball, baseball, and track teams.

Mrs. Strzesynski was a registered nurse at Toledo Hospital since 2003, said Jenny Goldberg, a hospital spokesman. She said the hospital s crisis counseling team is offering one-on-one sessions to anyone who wants to sit down with them.

According to the couple s marriage license, Mrs. Strzesynski had two minor children. Her family could not be reached yesterday.

Jeff Strzesynski said his brother recently moved out of the house because of Mrs. Strzesynski s behavioral issues. He said his brother went to live with his parents in Temperance to raise his children and work.

Gary Strzesynski and his family moved most of his belongings from the house Sept. 8 and Mrs. Strzesynski changed the locks, his brother said. He said he and Gary went to her Monday because Gary wanted the rest of his belongings. Gary arranged a day to get them and thought he could talk with her and everything would be peaceful, his brother said.

Gary Strzesynski s family said Mrs. Strzesynski recently bought a gun at an area gun shop and that she indicated she couldn t live alone. Police said a gun was recently purchased and that was part of their investigation.

Contact Christina Hall at chall@theblade.com or 419-724-6007.