2.16.2011

CUSTODY DISPUTE: FATHER Kills MOTHER in Murder- Suicide After Custody Dispute

Two People Dead After Custody Dispute

http://www.wcyb.com/news/26863394/detail.html

By Preston Ayres

POSTED: 4:31 pm EST February 14, 2011

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Johnson City police now say two people died in a weekend murder-suicide.

According to Johnson City police, the two were found with gunshot wounds on the floor of a home on Long Street just before 10:30 Saturday morning.

Police tell us 33-year-old Rebecca Markland died Saturday night at Johnson City Medical Center.

The father of her child, 31-year-old Frankie Hughes, was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time after the shooting Saturday morning.

Officers say a fight for custody of their child broke-out after Markland stopped by the Long Street house.

The child, who's about a year old, was initially taken into state custody and is now with a family member.

The night before the shooting, police were called to a fight between the parents at a Johnson City motel.

Officers say Hughes made threats to harm Markland and himself and was carrying a suicide note.

They found another note after the shooting on Saturday morning.