Cape Girardeau County coroner says Friday deaths a murder-suicide

Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton on Tuesday officially deemed the incident that left two Arizona men dead and shocked a quiet Cape Girardeau neighborhood Friday a murder-suicide.

Police responded to a home at 1129 Landgraf Drive shortly after 3 a.m. and found the bodies of Richard M. Carrube, 23, of Mesa, Ariz., and Joshua Adams, 31, of Youngtown, Ariz., lying in the driveway. Clifton identified the men, who were co-workers, later that day.

Clifton said he signed the men's death certificates Tuesday.

Investigators began looking at the incident as a murder-suicide shortly after they arrived on the scene.

"It appears to be what it originally appeared to be. I am signing the certificates as a homicide-suicide," he said.

Witnesses, awakened by gunshots, said they exited their homes and found the men's bodies lying in the home's driveway, with a handgun and shell casings nearby. Clifton said the murder weapon appeared to be a .40-caliber handgun. Police have not determined who the weapon belonged to.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jason Selzer said after the incident investigators believed an argument between the two prompted Adams to shoot Carrube multiple times before turning the gun on himself.

Adams and Carrube were traveling from Arizona to Indiana and stopped in Cape Girardeau on Thursday to spend the night at the home, which is owned by Adams' grandfather, family said Friday.

Police spokesman Darin Hickey said Tuesday that even though it appears Adams killed Carrube, the investigation continues. He said investigators are going to interview every witness.

"We're going to do our due diligence in investigating this case. It's still considered an open case," Hickey said.

Carrube's funeral has not been scheduled but will be held in Mesa, according to a death notice placed in the Southeast Missourian.

Adams' funeral has been scheduled for Thursday in Cape Girardeau.

jgamm@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1129 Landgraf Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.