Connecticut veterinarian killed in murder-suicide

Veterinarian Lauren Beebe, 48, was found shot to death in an apparent murder-suicide the morning of Nov. 25 at her home in Killingworth, Connecticut. Her husband, Billy Newman, 57, was found in the same room dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Office of the Chief State's Medical Examiner.

Beebe, DVM, worked at Killingworth Animal Hospital. The hospital closed Wednesday upon hearing the news that Beebe had been killed. Beebe's profile on the hospital's website says she was first an artist and had a career in veterinary technology before going to veterinary school at Louisiana State University.

She graduated with her DVM degree in 2003 and in 2004 completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center in Norwalk, Connecticut. After working as an emergency and relief veterinarian, Beebe returned to LSU in 2005 as a clinical instructor in companion animal anesthesia and pain management. However, she moved her family back to Connecticut in June of 2013.

Beebe, her husband and two children lived in a residence on a large farm, called “Halcyon Days Farm,” on the outskirts of Killingworth. Her profile says she still enjoyed the “creative arts and equestrian sports when time permits, usually with the company of her two young children and her husband.” The family also included four dogs, a cat and a pet crawfish, the profile concludes.

Court records show Beebe filed for divorce from Newman earlier this month. Connecticut Police Public Information Officer Kelly Grant told the media both bodies were in the same room and the couple's two children were present. The children are now in the custody of other family members.