POULSBO, Wash. — A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the quiet community of Poulsbo, Washington, after authorities identified the victims in what is being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide. The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 55-year-old Richard Gaines and his wife, 52-year-old Marjorie Imbiorski-Gaines, were found dead inside their residence earlier this week.
According to investigators, deputies responded to a welfare check at the couple’s home after neighbors reported not seeing or hearing from them for several days. When deputies entered the residence, they discovered both Richard and Marjorie deceased. Early evidence at the scene led detectives to determine that the incident was a domestic-related murder-suicide, though the exact sequence of events remains under active investigation.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding how long the couple had been deceased before being found or what may have motivated the tragedy. Investigators with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and the Kitsap County Coroner are working together to piece together the timeline, while autopsies will confirm the official causes and manner of death.
Neighbors described the Gaineses as a quiet, friendly couple who had lived in the area for several years. “They kept to themselves mostly but were always pleasant,” one resident shared. “It’s just devastating to think something like this could happen right here in our neighborhood.”
Poulsbo police and local crisis counselors have expressed their condolences to the families affected, emphasizing the emotional toll that domestic tragedies have on small communities. “These events leave deep scars not only for loved ones but for neighbors, friends, and the broader community,” one official noted.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to allow the family privacy as they grieve this unthinkable loss. Community members have begun leaving flowers and candles near the Gaines residence, reflecting a shared sorrow for two lives cut short in such tragic circumstances.
Domestic violence remains a serious concern nationwide, and law enforcement officials are using this incident as a somber reminder of the importance of seeking help when relationships turn volatile or unsafe.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or concerned for a loved one is urged to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or visit thehotline.org for confidential support 24/7.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office stated that further updates will be released once autopsy results and investigative findings are complete.
The Poulsbo community continues to mourn the loss of Richard and Marjorie Gaines, whose lives ended in unimaginable tragedy — leaving behind heartbreak, unanswered questions, and a neighborhood forever changed.
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