Developer, wife shot to death: Police suspect murder-suicide at Oakland home [Cumberland Times-News, Md.]

May 22-- Prominent businessman John Robert Markwood and his estranged wife Sharon Jean Markwood died of gunshot wounds Friday evening in an suspected murder suicide at the couple's home at 1057 Herrington Manor Road, according to the Garrett County Sheriff's Office.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that John Robert Markwood shot his estranged wife and moments later shot himself," read a press release from the sheriff's office to the Times-News.

Sharon Markwood was pronounced dead at the scene by Forensic Examiner Sam Moon who responded to the 7:32 p.m. incident.

John Markwood was pronounced dead on arrival at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. after being flown there by the Health Net helicopter.

Police said deputies responded to the Markwood residence for a reported shooting and then found Sharon Markwood deceased and her estranged husband suffering from gunshot wounds.

The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff's office.

According to Garrett County Office of Emergency Management, first calls concerning the shooting were made directly to the Garrett County Sheriff's Office.

No further information was available Saturday night. The sheriff's office said no one would be available to consider questions about the case until Monday.

Maryland State Police also responded to the scene.

Markwood was the developer of Cumberland Chase, a proposed several hundred unit housing complex at the former Barton farm property on U.S. Route 220 south of Cresaptown.

The Markwood property on Herrington Manor Road was auctioned by Joe R. Pyle Auction Services on Oct. 31, 2009. In addition to the 18,000-square-foot residence, the property included more than 50 acres of open pasture, a barn and an 11-acre lake with an island gazebo.

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