The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder-suicide in the Pagosa Lakes subdivision, about six miles north U.S. Highway 160 as it runs through Pagosa Springs.
The Sheriff’s Office discovered two bodies while conducting a welfare check Wednesday at a home in the subdivision.
Archuleta County Coroner Dan Keuning identified the deceased as married couple Michael Spitler, 30, and Chersti Berdahl Spitler, 36.
The bodies were found in a bedroom on the north side of the house, Keuning said.
The last known contact anyone had with the Spitlers was during the last week of February, he said.
An autopsy conducted Friday morning in Durango found the cause of death for Chersti and Michael Spitler were shotgun wounds.
The couple had been dead for about two weeks, Keuning said.
“The findings were a confirmed murder-suicide,” he said. “He shot her before turning the gun on himself.”
Agents with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation responded Thursday from Grand Junction to assist with the investigation, Keuning said.
Earlier this week, Larry Fisher, 71, owner of Ski & Bow Rack was shot and killed during a robbery in Pagosa Springs.
“This is a very difficult situation for our community, and a tragic week in Pagosa Springs,” Keuning said. “We are struggling with multiple deaths and grieving families. (Authorities) are going to continue their investigation and support the family during this difficult time.”
mrupani@durangoherald.com
Suicide resources
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering killing himself can be found from these sources:
Axis Health System:
24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
(800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 741741.
RED Nacional de PrevencióN Del Suicidio:
(888) 628-9454.
National Crisis text Hotline:
741741
Fort Lewis College Counseling Center:
247-7212.
Boys Town Hotline:
(800) 448-3000.
Safe2Tell Colorado:
(877) 542-7233 or online at
.
Colorado Crisis Support Line:
(844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at
http://www.coloradocrisisservices.org/
to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis, 24 hours a day.
Trevor Project:
(866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone.
Southern Ute Community ACtion Program:
Visit
and click on Suicide Prevention for a list of trained gatekeepers.
Second Wind Fund:
(720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
Survivors Support GrouP:
Heartbeat of Durango meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. Contact Janna for information at (970) 749-1673.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
Colorado chapter information available at
https://afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/
For Men:
A website for adult men contemplating suicide, who often are unwilling to seek help, is available at
.
