Authorities investigating apparent murder-suicide

OCIE, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri man may have killed his girlfriend before fatally shooting himself, authorities said Monday.

The deaths of Patricia G. Bunte, 53, and James C. Spence Jr., 54, both of Ocie, were being investigated as a murder-suicide, said Ozark County Sheriff Steve Bartlett.

Acting on an anonymous tip, Bunte's body was found Saturday buried in a shallow grave about three miles from her home. She had been missing since Jan. 19, Bartlett said.

An autopsy was being done to determine how she died, Bartlett said.

Meanwhile, Spence's body was found Tuesday in his truck near Ocie. The investigation indicates he shot himself in the head, Bartlett said.

No other details were immediately available.