Shock and Sorrow in Eden: Authorities Confirm Murder-Suicide in Deaths of Elderly Couple
Eden, VT — April 11, 2025 — A grim silence has settled over the quiet, wooded hills of Eden, Vermont, after a heartbreaking tragedy took the lives of two long-time residents in what authorities are now investigating as a murder-suicide. The incident, which has stunned this small Lamoille County community, has left family members and neighbors reeling with grief, disbelief, and unanswered questions.
According to the Vermont State Police, the victims have been identified as 78-year-old David Buchanon and his wife, 70-year-old Karol Buchanon. The couple was found deceased in their home earlier this week, and the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Thursday, April 10, that Karol was fatally shot before David took his own life.
Police were called to the Buchanons’ residence on Tuesday morning, April 8, after a concerned neighbor requested a welfare check. The neighbor, who had not seen the couple in several days and noticed mail piling up at the end of their driveway, feared something was wrong. Upon arrival, troopers found the door locked but no signs of forced entry. After entering the home, they discovered the couple’s bodies in what one law enforcement source described as a “deeply distressing scene.”
Autopsies conducted in Burlington have since confirmed that Karol died of multiple gunshot wounds, while David’s cause of death was a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun registered to David was found at the scene, and no signs of struggle or intrusion were evident. Police have ruled out the involvement of any third parties.
“This appears to be a tragic case of domestic violence that ended in a murder-suicide,” said Vermont State Police spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Monroe in a statement. “While we continue to investigate and speak with family members and acquaintances, all current evidence points to this being a deeply personal and tragic act.”
A Quiet Life in the Country
David and Karol Buchanon had lived in their modest, white clapboard home on a rural stretch of Eden for over 30 years. Retired and living on a fixed income, they were known by locals as quiet, reserved individuals who kept mostly to themselves but were respected and regarded fondly.
David, a former logger and carpenter, was described by those who knew him as practical and hardworking. Karol, who spent much of her life working as a secretary at a local elementary school, was remembered as gentle, soft-spoken, and deeply kind-hearted. Together, they raised two children, both of whom now live out of state.
“They were the kind of people you waved to when you passed by,” said a neighbor, who asked not to be named. “Karol had this little garden she loved to tend. David was always fixing something — the fence, the shed. It’s just hard to imagine something like this happening in their home.”
Behind Closed Doors
While the Buchanons maintained a quiet presence in the community, authorities have suggested there may have been underlying personal struggles in recent years. Sources familiar with the investigation indicate that David had been in declining physical health and that Karol had been caring for him full-time. The emotional and financial stress of caregiving may have taken a toll, though police have not confirmed any specific motive.
“There’s no way to understand what truly goes on behind closed doors,” said Rev. Melissa Crane of the Eden Congregational Church, where Karol occasionally attended services. “But we do know that isolation, health issues, and mental distress can quietly build up — especially for older couples who are facing so much alone.”
Community in Mourning
The news has struck Eden hard. A town of just over 1,300 residents, Eden is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone — or at least recognizes each other’s faces. The sudden and violent nature of the Buchanons’ deaths has rattled a community unaccustomed to such tragedy.
Flowers, candles, and handwritten notes now sit in a small memorial near the Buchanons’ mailbox. One note simply reads: “Rest in peace, neighbors. We are so sorry.” Another says: “You were never alone.”
Local officials and clergy have stepped in to provide grief counseling and mental health support for neighbors and friends affected by the incident.
“This is a small town with a big heart,” said Selectboard Chair Thomas Granger. “We grieve together, and we take care of our own. This tragedy reminds us of how important it is to check in on one another — to talk, to listen, and to make sure no one feels forgotten or overwhelmed.”
A Family’s Statement
In a short statement released through Vermont State Police, the Buchanon family expressed their deep sorrow and asked for privacy during their time of mourning.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our parents, David and Karol. They were loved deeply by their family, and this tragedy has left a hole in our hearts that words cannot fill.