In early 2025, a 91-year-old man in Camarillo, California, fatally shot his 89-year-old wife before turning the gun on himself. The couple had been married for 64 years, and their obituary described them as inseparable. Just months earlier, a 69-year-old retiree in upstate New York killed his longtime girlfriend and then himself, leaving neighbors in shock. These incidents are not isolated tragedies but part of a troubling trend.
Alarming Data on Elderly Murder-Suicides
While overall gun deaths have declined in recent years, murder-suicides involving at least one person aged 65 or older have reached record highs, according to a Trace analysis of Gun Violence Archive (GVA) data. In 2025, at least 134 older adults were killed in such incidents, the highest number since GVA began tracking over a decade ago. Additionally, 85 older adults perpetrated a killing before taking their own lives.
GVA compiles data from media and police reports, so the actual numbers may be higher. Still, it remains one of the most comprehensive sources on U.S. gun violence.
Key Findings from the Data
- In 2025, there were 679 gun-related murder-suicides nationwide; 144 (21%) involved an older adult as victim or perpetrator.
- Illness was a motivating factor in at least 15% of cases, often with the perpetrator serving as a full-time caregiver.
- Spouses or romantic partners were the most common victims, accounting for over half of cases.
- Women comprised 80% of victims, with the oldest being a 102-year-old woman killed by her son-in-law.
- All but two perpetrators were men, with the oldest being a 92-year-old in Arizona.
Why Do These Tragedies Happen?
Experts caution against romanticizing these acts as “mercy killings” or mutual suicide pacts. Sonia Salari, a gerontologist at the University of Utah, emphasizes that such incidents should be treated as domestic violence and femicide. Her 2007 study found that most victims did not consent, and some even fought back or tried to flee.
Men and women often view aging differently. “For women, it’s liberating to get older, with less responsibility,” Salari explains. “But for men, it means losses—career, mobility, or the attention of an ailing spouse.” This can lead some men to feel that their partner’s life is not worth living without them, disregarding her autonomy and right to make end-of-life decisions.
In many cases, there are no warning signs. Krista Schenck, who lost her parents to murder-suicide in 2021, recalls that her father, who had Alzheimer’s, showed no prior violence. “His phone search history had him looking up cremation, and he was insistent about me visiting that weekend,” she says. “So it does point to being planned, but who actually knows?”
What’s Driving the Increase?
The rise may be partly demographic. Baby Boomers, now aged 62 to 80, are in the highest suicide risk age range for men. Schenck also points to an aging population, healthcare access issues, and economic pressures. “People feel backed into a corner,” she says.
Additionally, gun availability has surged. Americans purchased 103 million guns between 2020 and 2025, and older adults often inherit firearms. Catherine Barber, a Harvard suicide researcher, suggests families discuss gun safety with older relatives facing health or domestic issues.
Prevention and Intervention
Voluntary safe gun storage programs—where individuals temporarily hand over firearms during a crisis—have proven effective in reducing homicides and suicides. Some states also allow temporary self-banning from gun purchases.
Healthcare providers should consider gun access when assessing older patients’ mental health. Adult children caring for aging parents should feel empowered to remove weapons if there’s a risk. As Schenck advises, “Pay attention to what’s going on with your elderly parents, because you never know what’s going to happen.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.