(Sept. 15, 2016) The remains of both Marvin Wilmer Purnell, 78, and his daughter, Karen Purnell, 53, were found in the family home on Groton Road in Pocomoke Monday after an apparent hour-long standoff with relative Marvin Desmond Purnell, 46, that ended with his suicide.
What started with a routine welfare check, initiated by a friend of Karen’s who had not seen her in some time, ended in unusual circumstances and with the grisly discovery. The unidentified friend paid a visit to the home before contacting authorities, and while receiving no answer at the door, told police she noticed a “very strong disturbing odor” from the residence.
Upon arrival, deputies found the house secure from the outside, without signs of forced entry. As the deputies attempted to make contact with the occupants, police say they heard a male voice in the house.
“Deputies asked the male to open the door and the male failed to comply with commands to open the door,” a Maryland State Police press release said.
Next, the deputies obtained a key to the house via undisclosed means, and entered the residence, according to the release. Upon entry, they encountered the decomposing remains of Marvin Wilmer Purnell and Karen Purnell in the kitchen, and saw a third body in the hallway opposite of the kitchen, later identified as Marvin Desmond Purnell, according to the release.
“After observing the three bodies, deputies exited the home for safety and to set up a perimeter,” the release said.
They attempted to contact Purnell using a cell phone and loudspeaker, and were unsuccessful for about an hour, after which teargas was fired into the home.
According to police, the tear gas canister set the home on fire, requiring a response from the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Co. to extinguish the blaze. Authorities, including the Worcester County Fire Marshal, did not comment on the size of the fire.
After the fire was put out, investigators were able to remove Purnell’s body, which was found lying on top of a rifle of unknown caliber, make or model. Examination of the body revealed a single gunshot wound to his neck. An autopsy conducted by the Maryland Medical Examiner concluded that the gunshot was self-inflicted.
Sgt. DaVaughn Parker of the Maryland State Police said he was on the scene during the incident and said neither he, nor anyone he talked to, reported hearing a gunshot.
Parker said the preliminary autopsy report revealed Marvin Wilmer Purnell had sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the jaw and another in his cheek. Karen Purnell, he continued, had been shot in the back of the head, along with both stabbing and cutting wounds on her upper body.
Parker said the medical examiner has not been able to determine if Karen Purnell’s wounds were sustained before or after her death.
The elder Marvin Purnell and Karen Purnell’s deaths have been ruled homicides. No time of death has been determined for the Purnells.
State police are still awaiting the results of toxicology screens.
What started with a routine welfare check, initiated by a friend of Karen’s who had not seen her in some time, ended in unusual circumstances and with the grisly discovery. The unidentified friend paid a visit to the home before contacting authorities, and while receiving no answer at the door, told police she noticed a “very strong disturbing odor” from the residence.
Upon arrival, deputies found the house secure from the outside, without signs of forced entry. As the deputies attempted to make contact with the occupants, police say they heard a male voice in the house.
“Deputies asked the male to open the door and the male failed to comply with commands to open the door,” a Maryland State Police press release said.
Next, the deputies obtained a key to the house via undisclosed means, and entered the residence, according to the release. Upon entry, they encountered the decomposing remains of Marvin Wilmer Purnell and Karen Purnell in the kitchen, and saw a third body in the hallway opposite of the kitchen, later identified as Marvin Desmond Purnell, according to the release.
“After observing the three bodies, deputies exited the home for safety and to set up a perimeter,” the release said.
They attempted to contact Purnell using a cell phone and loudspeaker, and were unsuccessful for about an hour, after which teargas was fired into the home.
According to police, the tear gas canister set the home on fire, requiring a response from the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Co. to extinguish the blaze. Authorities, including the Worcester County Fire Marshal, did not comment on the size of the fire.
After the fire was put out, investigators were able to remove Purnell’s body, which was found lying on top of a rifle of unknown caliber, make or model. Examination of the body revealed a single gunshot wound to his neck. An autopsy conducted by the Maryland Medical Examiner concluded that the gunshot was self-inflicted.
Sgt. DaVaughn Parker of the Maryland State Police said he was on the scene during the incident and said neither he, nor anyone he talked to, reported hearing a gunshot.
Parker said the preliminary autopsy report revealed Marvin Wilmer Purnell had sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the jaw and another in his cheek. Karen Purnell, he continued, had been shot in the back of the head, along with both stabbing and cutting wounds on her upper body.
Parker said the medical examiner has not been able to determine if Karen Purnell’s wounds were sustained before or after her death.
The elder Marvin Purnell and Karen Purnell’s deaths have been ruled homicides. No time of death has been determined for the Purnells.
State police are still awaiting the results of toxicology screens.