More disturbing details are emerging from the police investigation into an apparent murder-suicide and arson that occurred last week in a Walton home.
On February 19, two people were found dead at a house at 294 John Lockwood Road, which was set on fire shortly before gunshots were heard from within. The two were identified as 48-year-old Debra Sundstrom of 1884 South River Road, whose death was ruled a suicide by gunshot to the head, and 51-year-old Dominick Bosco, who lived in the house. Bosco's death was ruled a homicide.
The body of Debra's husband, Randy Sundstrom, was later found by police at the Sundstroms' home at 1884 South River Road.
On Tuesday, New York State Police troopers revealed a grim detail in the unfolding case: Randy Sundstrom's body was found stuffed into a barrel behind the Sundstrom house.
Randy Sundstrom had been dead since roughly February of 2010, police said. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Lieutenant Erik Dauber of the New York State Police's Troop C told the Watershed Post that the late Debra Sundstrom is currently the sole suspect in the deaths of both Bosco and her husband.
"We haven't ruled out anybody else, but at this time we don't have any other suspects," said Dauber.
The manner of Randy Sundstrom's death is still under investigation.
The Sundstroms were giant pumpkin growers, and made headlines in 2008 for growing a giant pumpkin in their Walton backyard that weighed in at 1,459 pounds. An online community of fellow giant pumpkin growers, many of whom knew the Sundstroms, has been discussing Randy's death on a web forum, and talking about how to cooperate with a police investigation into his whereabouts in the year before he died.
State police are asking anyone with information on Randy Sundstrom's acquaintances and activities during 2009 and 2010 to contact investigators at 607-561-7400. Police say all calls will remain confidential.
Update, 4pm: Lieutenant Dauber held an afternoon press conference to discuss the case in Sidney at 2:30pm. Local radio station WCDO 101 FM, whose reporter Rob Ray was on hand, reports that police believe Dominick Bosco was killed 1 to 3 days before the February 19 fire.
The two gunshots heard by police at 294 John Lockwood Road on February 19 were Debra Sundstrom shooting first a dog, then herself, WCDO reports.
Click here for our collected coverage of the Sundstrom murder-suicide story.
