A long-dead body has been found during the investigation of an arson-suicide at 294 John Lockwood Road in Walton, where 48-year-old Debra Sundstrom committed suicide by gunshot on February 19.
On the afternoon of February 19, two local police officers -- who were outside the house at the time conducting a criminal investigation -- heard gunshots, then entered the house to find it ablaze. Two bodies were recovered from the house after the fire, which was later found to have been set intentionally.
While investigating the incident, state police have found and identified a third body at 1884 South River Road in Walton: Debra Sundstrom's husband, Randy Sundstrom. Police say Randy Sundstrom was the victim of a homicide sometime around February of 2010.
Lieutenant Jeffrey VanAuken of the New York State Police told the Watershed Post that Randy Sundstrom was never reported missing.
"No one had reported him missing to the police, and nobody was looking for him," VanAuken said. "It was very unusual."
The other body found in the burned house at 294 John Lockwood Road has also been identified: 51-year-old Dominick Bosco, who lived in the house on John Lockwood Road. Police have not yet determined the cause of Bosco's death.
An obituary for Debra Sundstrom, published recently on the website of the Courtney Funeral Home, does not mention Randy Sundstrom.
The Sundstroms had a moment in the news spotlight in 2008, for growing a giant pumpkin in their Walton backyard that weighed in at 1,459 pounds. This week, fellow giant pumpkin growers have been expressing shock and sorrow at the news of Debra Sundstrom's death on a community message board.
Police are still investigating the case. Lieutenant VanAuken said that police will continue to release more information as they learn more.
Anyone with information regarding Randy Sundstrom’s acquaintances and/or activities during 2009 and 2010 is asked to contact the New York State Police at 607-561-7400. All calls will remain confidential.
Correction, 2/26/2013, 12:30am: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story stated that Randy Sundstrom's body was found at 294 John Lockwood Road. His body was found at 1884 South River Road, where both he and Debra Sundstrom resided. The Watershed Post apologizes for the error.
In correcting the headline, we lost several Facebook comments that were previously made on this story.
Click here for our collected coverage of the Sundstrom murder-suicide story.
