Police continue to investigate murder-suicide near Danville

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

DANVILLE ? Three people died Friday, April 29, near Danville in what Des Moines County authorities are calling a murder-suicide.

Deputies were summoned to a residence at 14733 Lynx St. in rural Des Moines County in response to a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arriving at the scene, which is accessible only via a dirt road, deputies found three subjects who had sustained gunshot wounds.

The victims were identified as Tiffany Lynn Inghram, 36, who lived in the house, and her mother, Wanda Dowell, 63, of Palmetto, Fla. Sheriff?s deputies identified the suspect in the shootings as Robert Eugene Inghram, 60, of Mediapolis. Inghram is the estranged husband of T. Inghram and also the owner of the house in which the shootings occurred.

Investigators said R. Inghram was ordered to move from the residence in early March, after he was charged with third-degree sexual abuse of a teenage girl. At that time, a no-contact order also was issued against R. Inghram, and he was not to contact anyone living at the house on Lynx Street.

All three subjects were pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained gunshot wounds from a 40-caliber handgun.

The 911 call was made by T. Inghram?s teenage daughter who had escaped the scene through a back door. Prior to leaving the house, the daughter said she heard several gunshots.

Authorities said R. Inghram had hid his vehicle in some trees near the property and then entered the house and committed what they termed ?an ambush.?

No suicide note has been found.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

Des Moines County?s Sheriff?s Office was assisted in the initial response by the West Burlington Police Department and Des Moines County Conservation.

Further assisting the sheriff?s office at the scene were the Danville Fire Department, the Burlington Fire Department Ambulance and the Des Moines County Medical Examiner?s Office.

The incident remains under investigation by the Des Moines County Sheriff?s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Autopsies are being conducted at the University of Iowa Hospital.