Richard Aldridge Kills Mother and Two Sisters then Himself

A coroner’s panel returned as verdict that Richard Lee Aldridge, 35, had committed suicide after murdering his mother, Mary Aldridge 70, and his two sisters Miss Mary Aldridge 48, and Miss Pearl Aldridge, 39.

The Four dead bodies were found in the farm house northwest of Birds on the Lawrence Crawford County line road at 8:30 Thursday morning by Mrs. Yvonne Lindsay, a daughter of Mrs. Aldridge, and her husband Richard Lindsay, who stopped by the Aldridge home.

Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay notified the Sheriffs office and then drove to Clapp s garage where they me Deputy Leo Cochran and State trooper Arkie Cessna whom they directed to the Aldridge home.

The body of Richard was in a slumped position against the wall and under his legs was a shotgun which he had killed himself with a charge to the mouth.

The body of Pearl was n the kitchen and on the table was a rifle and a bloody butcher knife. The body of Mrs. Aldridge was found face down in bed

Mary’s body was on the bedroom floor. Indications were that she had been shot in the kitchen and had dragged herself to the bedroom.

Richard Lee Aldridge was a veteran and had spent some time in the mental division of the Veterans Hospital He was released last spring and had appeared rational most of the time. He operated the small farm which the four resided.