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August 09. 2012 2:24PM

Investigators seek details, motives of apparent murder-suicide


Jeffrey Kaznecki, left, shot his wife Barbara, 51, right, and his 85-year-old mother, Shirley Leary, before turning the gun on himself. 
Investigators are continuing to piece together the events leading up to what authorities are calling a murder-suicide that happened on Wheeler Avenue in Salem on July 31.

The police tape is down but the case remains active, said Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley.

“Investigators are interviewing people of interest to see if they can get any information as to what happened that day and why,” Hinckley said.

The quiet neighborhood was shocked Tuesday, July 31, when Jeffrey Kaznecki, 50, shot his wife Barbara, 51, and his 85-year-old mother, Shirley Leary, before turning the gun on himself at the home they shared at 33 Wheeler Ave., said authorities.

The couple had been married for 30 years and had a daughter.

Neighbors struggled to understand what caused the tragedy. Most barely knew the quiet couple other than to exchange greetings in passing.

It could take months for the truth to come out while laboratory analysis is completed, Hinckley said. Initial autopsy results revealed the cause and manner of the deaths but a detailed autopsy report and lab results are still expected. Ballistics tests are being done to confirm that weapon found at the scene the weapon used. Hinckley said he was not aware of other weapons found in the home.

One of the victims, Barbara Kaznecki, shared her thoughts on the Colorado mass shooting and Second Amendment rights on her Facebook page. Along with the joys of family, camping, and her beloved dog, Kaznecki “liked” the Home Defense Association and Second Amendment Facebook pages. The pages promote gun ownership rights.

On July 21, under a picture offering prayers and thoughts to the families of the Aurora, Colo., shooting Barbara posted “Such a horrific tragedy. R.I.P. X x X”.

Four days later, she reaffirmed her Second Amendment right by participating in a Facebook challenge for all gun owners to post a statement about the U.S. Supreme Court affirming the right to bear arms. It finished with the statement, “Guns don't kill people, people kill people.”

A day after the shooting, a Facebook friend responded, “I understand why you posted this, but can't seem to think all about what happened yesterday and to see Barbara's name on it today is almost too much.”

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