Community Corner

Police Are Reconstructing Moments Before Shimek Murder-Suicide

Officers from the Gilroy Police Department are interviewing friends and relatives of the Shimeks.

Gilroy police said on Tuesday that they are working to reconstruct the Shimeks' final moments in an attempt to understand what led to the on Sunday.

"We're doing that by interviewing family and friends who have had contact with them throughout the last several weeks, so it can take quite a bit of time to reconstruct that history," said Captain Jim Gillio of the Gilroy Police Department.

Christopher Shimek, a San Jose Police officer, and his wife, Lynn, were found dead in their Rodeo Drive home on Sunday night.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gilroy Police officers checked on the Shimek home at about 9:40 p.m. at the request of relatives and friends who were concerned about the family's well being after failed attempts to reach them. 

Christopher had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Shimeks'  bodies were found in the master bedroom of their home, Gillio said.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sources close to the investigation said Lynn had been strangled, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

An official from the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner said they received the bodies of Lynn and Christopher on Monday, and that they're working on determining the cause and manner of death.

Neighbors shared their with Patch. Many remember them as a nice, quiet family. They said Chris always had a smile on his face and that he loved working on his home.

The candles that had been placed on the street in front of the Shimek house remained lit on Monday night, and the memorial grew in number as people placed offerings on the site in honor of Lynn and Christopher Shimek.


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