Bethel murder-suicide has left the whole town in a state of shock and restlessness. The small town was struck with this unforeseen tragedy on the night of January 31st. 

Traci-Marie Jones, 52, had taken a restraining order to protect herself from Lester Jones, 58, her husband. The couple got married in 1999.

Traci-Marie Jones obtained a restraining order from the court just a week before she was brutally murdered. The restraining order prohibited Lester Jones from contacting Traci-Marie Jones, and he was also expected to give up his ammunition and stay atleast 100 yards away from her. 

The court was aware that Lester Jones allegedly possessed one or more firearms. 

Public records linked both individuals to a home at Reservoir Street. A call was made to the police by someone living in the same area, and the caller mentioned bothersome noise coming from Jones’ place. 

When the officers arrived, they found a man and a woman inside the house, both of whom had gunshot wounds. 

Traci-Marie Jones succumbed to her injuries and was ruled dead on the spot. She had gunshot wounds on her head and trunk. 

Her husband, supposedly her killer, also had a headshot wound. He was taken to Danbury hospital by the officers, where he was later pronounced dead. 

According to the Chief Medical Examiner, Traci-Marie Jones was the victim of a homicide, whereas Lester Jones himself committed suicide.

The authorities interviewed Reservoir Street resident Celso Ferreira. He said he was unaware that something had happened in the house next door until Wednesday morning. He said, “I was sleeping and didn’t hear or see anything.”

Celso Ferreira described the Jones as friendly but made it clear that he wasn’t close to them. He said, “They are my neighbors, but I don’t know who was in the house. They would say hello and this and that, but nothing more than that.”

Bethel murder-suicide is the first time something like this has happened in the quiet town of Bethel. 

Why was Lester jones arrested?

Lester Jones was arrested a week before he committed suicide. He was arrested because he attempted theft at a lumber yard in Danbury. 

According to the arrest warrant, surveillance footage from a nearby camera showed a man, later identified as Jones, drive to the yard in a Kia Sportage and take items from the lumbar yard. 

Upon interrogation, Jones admitted to stealing all those items. He claimed he had done business with the company, but the owners did not refund his money.