Retired school board employees die in apparent murder-suicide, officials say

DENHAM SPRINGS La. (WAFB) - The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the apparent murder-suicide of an elderly couple with a history of domestic violence issues.

Officials say it appears that Carl Altazin, 74, shot his girlfriend Patricia Blue, 73, before taking his own life.

According to LPSO, deputies responded to Acadiana Avenue in Denham Springs around 10 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, to find two people unresponsive.

“Our investigation revealed the female suffered a gunshot wound to the upper torso while the male had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper extremities,” said Sheriff Jason Ard.

The sheriff says detectives are still investigating to find out what led up to this incident, but they have learned Blue and Altazin argued earlier in the evening.

He described the two as “long-time acquaintances.”

Court documents show Blue filed two orders of protection, one from 2017 and another from 2019. Both of them were dismissed for unknown reasons.

Both Blue and Altazin were former employees of the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, but they retired in 2005.

“I’m just a friend but the family is doing...as you can imagine. On behalf of the family, we wanted to let everyone know that Miss Pat was an amazing mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Her passing is an unbelievable tragedy, but we stand in God’s promises and know that she is in his loving arms. We ask for privacy at this time as this is an extremely difficult situation for this family, and we appreciate all the prayers and support as we celebrate one amazing woman,” said Chirsty Solar, a family friend.

This investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

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