NEAR BETHESDA, Ohio -- A Bethesda man and his wife are dead after an apparent murder-suicide at their home, Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson said Thursday night.

Sheriff's deputies remained on the scene along Noon Road late into the evening.

Thompson said it appears the husband shot the wife before shooting himself.

Deputies had responded to a domestic violence call at the home earlier in the evening, Thompson said.

Thompson said those officers left once the couple had calmed down.

Less than an hour later, a relative went to the couple's home and found both dead, Thompson said.

Thompson did not release the names of the victims pending notification of family.