Watch CBS News

Woman Allegedly Shot By Husband Was Talking To 911 For 12 Minutes

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police are investigating after a woman was found dead in a home on Monday night, and if marijuana or other drugs may have played a role in the crime.

Crime scene officers were still at the house located in the 2100 block of South St. Paul Street Monday morning.

Richard Kirk
Richard Kirk (credit: Denver Police Department/CBS)

Police took Richard Kirk, 47, into custody in connection with the death. He's being held on investigation of first-degree murder charges.

Police are not releasing the name of the woman who died in the house, but Sonny Jackson with Denver police said in a statement she was Kirk's wife. A check of the owners of the home names his wife as Kristine Kirk.

Kristine Kirk
Kristine Kirk (credit: Facebook)

Police said they received a call of domestic disturbance at approximately 9:30 p.m.

"When officers arrived on scene they found a female deceased inside the residence. She appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound," Jackson said.

Kristine Kirk had been shot in the head.

According to the arrest affidavit, the woman called 911 to say her husband had been smoking marijuana and was hallucinating and scaring the couple's three small children.

ST. PAUL DEATH INVESTIGATION MAP
(credit: CBS)

The documents also state that Richard Kirk was talking about the end of the world and that he wanted his wife to shoot him.

The arrest affidavit also states that Kristine Kirk was on the phone with the 911 operator when she noticed her husband had retrieved a gun.

"She was on the phone with dispatch at the time the shooting took place," Jackson said.

She started to scream and a gunshot was heard but Kristine's voice was never heard again.

Police say the call lasted about 12 to 15 minutes and an investigation has been initiated by the Denver Police Department and the Combined Communications Center.

"Any time a person dies while communicating with Denver's emergency services we examine the circumstances to ensure that the incident was handled properly and we look for areas to improve upon," Jackson said.

Officers aren't saying much more about the incident but neighbors say the couple had three young boys who are all in grade school.

The couple's children were also heard inside the home at the time.

"I used to go to school with them and they were really nice kids and they didn't deserve for this to happen to their mom and their dad," said neighbor Alesa Moskal.

Police spent the day gathering evidence from the home while neighbors looked on in disbelief.

Several brough by bouquets of flowers.

"We want to show that our community is here to support the family and that we're here for them so it's important to create that memorial I think," said family friend Lily Weiner.

According to deed records, the Kirks have lived in the home since 2005. It's unclear where the children have been taken during the investigation.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.