[NC] "Everybody at the SPD knew" Statesville Police Officer Przasnyski was troubled before he killed wife Heather and himself?

...Heather Przasnyski died from multiple gunshot wounds... Statesville Police Officer Przasnyski died from a self-inflicted gunshot... Heather's mother, Cynthia Benton, declined to talk about the shooting and the couple's relationship but did say her daughter was a good mother. "She was a sweet girl, and she loved her boys more than anything in this world," Benton said. An anonymous source said there were signs that Przasnyski was troubled. "Everybody at the SPD knew," this person said... Robert's squad at the SPD is collecting money and... Memorials and/or donations may be sent to the Kaden and Cole Przasnyski Trust, c/o Alex Mendaloff, Attorney/Custodian, P.O. Box 168, Statesville, N.C. 28687...


...Services celebrating Heather's life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Western Ave. Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home. At other times, they will be assembled at the residence at 866 Mocksville Hwy...
...Heather Przasnyski drove to her husband's home and a co-worker followed her and saw the shootings... Robert walked out of the house, and he was armed. The two boys walked outside and Robert told them to go back inside. He raised the gun and Heather started walking away... He fired, shooting Heather three times in the back... [Statesville Police Chief Tom] Anderson said he and others at the SPD knew that Przasnyski was having problems with his marriage, but nothing out of the ordinary... "This was totally unexpected." Both [Iredell County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Rick] Dowdle and Anderson said this was the first time they can recall of an officer shooting his wife and then himself... Heather Przasnyski was described simply as "good people"... Heather was a hair stylist with Shear Designs... Robert's squad at the SPD is collecting money and Mendaloff, an attorney, is setting up a nonprofit fund to collect donations... Another local woman, Kimberly Lewis, didn't know the family directly but she launched a fundraising effort to help... She said she has contacted Chick-fil-A in Statesville and a fundraiser is planned for Jan. 25. Anyone interested in contributing to the fund for the two children can call Lewis at (704) 957-5840 or take donations to the SPD on Tradd Street...

LINKS:
Heather Benton Przasnyski Obituary and Guest Book

VIDEO:

STATESVILLE POLICE OFFICER, WIFE SHOT TO DEATH IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE
WTKR Your NewsChannel 3
By Associated Press
December 15, 2010
[Excerpt] Sheriff's deputies in North Carolina say they think a police officer shot and killed his estranged wife before shooting himself. Multiple media outlets reported that 39-year-old Statesville police officer Robert Przasnyski and his wife, Heather, were found dead outside his home Tuesday evening. Authorities say Heather Przasnyski drove to her husband's home and a co-worker followed her and saw the shootings... [Full article here]

SHERIFF'S REPORT REVEALS OFFICER'S ESTRANGED WIFE DIED FROM MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS
wsicweb.com
December 15, 2010
[Excerpts] ...Upon arrival, deputies found two victims deceased from apparent gun shot wounds. One victim was identified as Heather Przasnyski (w/f 37 years old of Mocksville Hwy). Autopsy reports, along with witness statements, revealed Heather died from multiple gun shot wounds. The second subject was identified as Robert H. Przasnski of 116 WhiteTail Lane, Statesville... The information received during the investigation indicated the two were man and wife living separate and apart in the process of a divorse. On this day, Heather Przasnski went to the home of Robert Przasnski to pick up the two children.... [Full article here]

SPD OFFICER, ESTRANGED WIFE DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE
Statesville Record & Landmark
By press release
Published: December 14, 2010
[Excerpts] The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving an off-duty Statesville Police Department officer... Robert Przasnyski, who has been with the SPD for about three years and was a road patrol officer, is believed to have shot his estranged wife, Heather, and then turned the gun on himself, said Capt. Darren Campbell of the sheriff's office... ICSO Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle said there were two small children, around the ages of 4 and 7 inside the house... The children are in the custody of family members. Campbell said Heather, a beautician, arrived at the home where her estranged husband lived Tuesday evening. A co-worker followed Heather to the house and witnessed the shooting... [SPD Chief Tom] Anderson, who along with Assistant Chief Bill Halliburton, came to the scene said he was stunned. “It’s incomprehensible,” he said. Capt. Darren Campbell of the ICSO said the couple was estranged but was not sure if they were officially divorced. The sheriff’s office has not responded to any domestic calls involving the couple, Dowdle said. Anderson said the officer has been with the SPD for more than three years and there were no indications of any issues involving domestic violence... [Full article here]

POLICE OFFICER, ESTRANGED WIFE DEAD AFTER APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE
WSOCTV.com
December 15, 2010
[Excerpts] ...Iredell County deputies found [Statesville police officer] Robert and [estranged wife] Heather Przasnyski dead outside of a house on Whitetail Road at about 6 p.m... A co-worker of Heather Przasnyski, who was a beautician, followed her to Robert Przasnyski’s home and witnessed the shootings... The co-worker called 911... The Sheriff’s Office has not responded to any domestic calls involving the couple, Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle said. Statesville Police Chief Tom Anderson came to the scene and said he was stunned. “It’s incomprehensible,” he said. He added: “Our prayers are with the family." [Full article here]

...Both Iredell County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle and Statesville Police Chief Tom Anderson said this was the first time they can recall of an officer shooting his wife and then himself...

POLICE OFFICER AND WIFE DIE IN MURDER-SUICIDE, IREDELL OFFICIALS SAY
WBTV
By Tom Roussey
Posted: Dec 14, 2010 5:52 PM PST
Updated: Dec 15, 2010 1:57 PM PST
[Excerpts] ...Initial autopsy reports released on Wednesday indicate that Heather Przasnski died from multiple gunshot wounds. Evidence at the scene also indicates that Officer Przasnski died from a self-inflicted gunshot... "It would be awful," a neighbor said to WBTV about the thought of the boys losing both parents... It was unclear how long Robert and Heather Przasnski had been separated, but investigators have gathered that they were in the process of securing a divorce. The sheriff's office says Robert was staying at the house where the shooting happened and Heather had come to the home in order to pick up their sons... The investigation is ongoing to determine if there was any motive for the shooting. Detectives are still awaiting the final autopsy report including toxicology. [Full article here]


OFFICER SEEN KILLING WIFE, THEN HIMSELF: Investigators say the couple was going through a divorce.
The Charlotte Observer
By Steve Lyttle and Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
Posted: Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010
[Excerpts] ..."This is incomprehensible," Statesville police Chief Tom Anderson told the Statesville Record & Landmark. A spokeswoman for the city said grief counselors were sent to the Statesville Police Department Wednesday. Authorities say Heather Przasnyski, a beautician, drove to her estranged husband's house shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, possibly to pick up their children. The co-worker who witnessed the shootings called 911, and deputies arrived shortly afterward at the house... Heather's mother, Cynthia Benton, declined to talk about the shooting and the couple's relationship but did say her daughter was a good mother. "She was a sweet girl, and she loved her boys more than anything in this world," Benton said... Investigators said they didn't know if the couple was divorced. A check of court records indicates no divorce had been finalized, but investigators told WBTV the couple was in divorce proceedings. Court records show Heather Przasnyski took her husband to court twice in recent months. On Sept. 13, she asked a civil court in Iredell County for alimony and child support. That case was pending. And on Oct. 15, she again sought child support from her husband. Authorities hadn't been called to the house until Tuesday, said Sheriff's Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle. Court records show no arrests or charges against either Przasnyski... [Full article here]

PRZASNYSKI LEFT NO CLUES BEFORE SHOTS WERE FIRED
Statesville Record & Landmark
By Donna Swicegood
December 16, 2010
[Excerpts] ...The facts are pretty clear, said Capt. Darren Campbell of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office. It's the "why" that no one can determine... Campbell said a co-worker of Heather Przasnyski witnessed what happened. She had followed Heather to Robert's home Tuesday evening. Heather was going to pick up the couple's two sons, ages 4 and 7... The co-worker sat in her car as Heather walked toward the house. A friend of the family, who didn't want to be identified, said Robert walked out of the house, and he was armed. The two boys walked outside and Robert told them to go back inside. He raised the gun and Heather started walking away. He fired, shooting Heather three times in the back, the friend said. He then turned the gun on himself. Campbell said authorities are unsure if either of the boys witnessed what happened. He said Przasnyski left no note and no clues... SPD Chief Tom Anderson said there were no signs that Przasnyski was having any extreme difficulties dealing with his separation from his wife. He said Heather Przasnyski never voiced any concerns to him or anyone in the SPD administration. "I've never met his wife... I've never talked to her." An anonymous source said there were signs that Przasnyski was troubled. "Everybody at the SPD knew," this person said. Anderson said he and others at the SPD knew that Przasnyski was having problems with his marriage, but nothing out of the ordinary. "All the indicators were that he was moving on with his life," he said. "This was totally unexpected." Both [Iredell County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Rick] Dowdle and Anderson said this was the first time they can recall of an officer shooting his wife and then himself. It's been a tough day for the officers at the SPD, Anderson said. "There's a lot of disbelief," he said. "We're still in shock." He said grief counselors are being brought in for anyone at the SPD that needs their assistance. "This is a tragedy and we have our own grieving process too." [Full article here]

FAMILY STILL TRYING TO GRASP TRAGEDY
Statesville Record & Landmark
By Donna Swicegood
December 16, 2010
[Excerpts] Heather Przasnyski was described simply as "good people"... Heather was a hair stylist with Shear Designs in Statesville. "Heather Przasnyski will always be in our hearts," was posted on the salon's Facebook page Wednesday afternoon. Heather's uncle, Alex Mendaloff, said the family is still trying to grasp the tragedy. "This is so big, I can't get my arms around it," he said. Heather and Mendaloff's daughter, Erin, are the same age. Former SPD Officer Bridget Gentle, who knew both Robert and Heather, used the term "good people" to describe Heather... Robert, who was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in New Jersey... Robert was also a veteran of the U.S. Marines... SPD Assistant Chief Bill Halliburton described him as a quiet, laid-back kind of personality... Robert's squad at the SPD is collecting money and Mendaloff, an attorney, is setting up a nonprofit fund to collect donations... Another local woman, Kimberly Lewis, didn't know the family directly but she launched a fundraising effort to help... She said she has contacted Chick-fil-A in Statesville and a fundraiser is planned for Jan. 25. Anyone interested in contributing to the fund for the two children can call Lewis at (704) 957-5840 or take donations to the SPD on Tradd Street. [Full article here]

AUTHORITIES: FORMER EAST SPENCER OFFICER SHOT WIFE, SELF
Salisbury Post
December 16, 2010 12:00 AM
[Excerpts] ...There are reports that one of the couple told their sons who are 4 and 7 years old, to go back inside the house shortly before the shootings took place. According to police, Heather Przasnyski, a beautician, drove to her estranged husband’s house shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, possibly to pick up their children... East Spencer Alderman John Noble said he was shocked to hear the news Wednesday. “That surprised me. He was a good officer,” said Noble, who is retired from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. “I never would have thought that.” Noble said Przasnyski lived in Statesville while he worked in East Spencer and resigned to take a job with the police department closer to his home... “You never know what’s in a person’s mind,” he said. [Full article here]

EXCERPTS FROM WEB COMMENTS:

...I saw the texts he sent her. I witnessed the arguments outside the car and how he wouldn't let her back in the car. I talked to him many times and he told me he contemplated suicide several times. I know both sides of the story. I know he loved those boys. I also know he was following her around, he harassed her, her boyfriend, his daughter, He couldn't bear the thought of life without her... I have texts on my phone from him you can read for yourself. I was his friend too... He did follow her around, he was seen more than once outside her boyfriend's house and the man did talk to the chief of police about that and Rob found out all kinds of info on him and even sent messages to his daughter. He even used my cell phone # somehow to call her so she would think it was me. He would call and text her constantly. and Yes, she was afraid he would do something like this... I did talk to both of them, on a regular basis for a very long time. I was at the kids birthday parties. I am very sorry for both families... I loved her very much, she was a sister to me and I always wanted them to work it out...

...I knew Heather and I knew Rob. I know that Heather is in Heaven and will surely be looking down on her boys forever...

...The only person he ever loved was himself. If you knew him you would know this. He was more concerned with buying his toys and guns instead of worrying about how he would pay for it. He has never been a stable or rational person. Buying guns for a 4 & 7 year old and having illegal guns & silencers himself is not a rational person. This is who he was this is not who she made him, but who she was afraid of. This is not hearsay... LOVE is an unselfishness act something that he was not capable of and this was seen in his last and final act when he made his children orphans...

...how sad that these boys have lost both parents, by the hand of their own father and so close to Christmas. my prayers are with the boys during this tragic time...

...Heather was a good friend of our family. It breaks my heart that such a tragic event took her life from us. She cut my hair, and I coached her son in t-ball and football. I’ve known her for over 5 years. What stands out the most about Heather for me is her testimony of salvation. Heather told me that when she was 18, her uncle shared the gospel with her. He told her that Christ died for her sins, and she believed the gospel and was saved. I went to see her coworkers today, and they told me about her sharing her testimony with them last week. I know for a fact that she is with the Lord and I will see her again. My thoughts and prayers are with the family...

...No matter who was right and who was wrong and no matter what time of year it is, it ws still very wrong of this gun toting, badge wearing, man! So selfish of him. I guess he though "If I can't have her then no one can have her". But he loved his kids so much he didn't stop to think about them... Selfish and pure evil I tell ya...

...I think the wool was pulled over someones eyes! Maybe, they don't know the whole story either, matter of fact, I know they don't!...

...Dear God, please watch over these two little boys. I hope they will have nothing but happy memories of their parents. May they find the love in all that surrounds them. May they always have someone to care and love them...

...I do not need to hear either side of the story to know that this man shot his wife and then himself... and that fact alone says that he had many problems that had nothing to do with the wife. Many marriages split up very bitterly but most do not get a gun and start shooting...

...I did know both sides of the story and knew both people involved very well. I tried to get them both to see each others side of the story and to try to work it out. He just kept pushing her away farther and farther. And yes she was scared, he owned many, many guns. which was also the initial reason for the arguement that caused her to leave him and want a separation to begin with. And regardless, he didn't think how this would affect his children or what they witnessed happen last night. They are so young and precious and now they don't have either parent because of what he did in cold blood. I never said he planned to kill her, he did contemplate suicide many times and told me about it. And of course he only told his family his side of the story and they wouldn't listen to hers...

...if you care so much about someone (your children) you wouldn't have done this to them...

...It is sad to see anyone defend this vial piece of trash who wore a badge. And yes any one who murders his wife in cold blood while his children are only feet away is vial trash. There will be a special place in HE!! for him. Where were the SPD friends? Where was the SPD who could have seen he was becoming unstable? It was well know he was beginning to lose touch with reality, and even his friends knew it so don't play dumb now...

...He shot and killed his soon to be ex wife in cold blood! That makes this POS a murderer...

...if this is something he was contemplating for such a long time then why was he Christmas shopping for his children earlier the same day when I was talking to him! His kids meant everything to him!... She knew how to piss him off and did so every time she picked up the kids... He didn't stalk her. He did call her multiple times to check on the kids... We only know what the police are telling us happened. You were not there... Get you facts straight before you start blabbing your mouth off... You did not know him... You only know what a soon to be ex wife was telling you...

...I don't know what too say. God help them...
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