Woman kills husband, mother, sister before turning gun on herself

SLIDELL, La. (AP) -- A woman shot and killed her husband, sister and mother before she turned the gun on herself, leaving a note on the front door that read: "Call 911. Door is unlocked. We are all dead."

The family's housekeeper discovered the note and called authorities early Tuesday after arriving at their home in a subdivision near Slidell, said Tiffany Tate, a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

Charlotte Haley, 59, may have been driven to the slayings because she was overwhelmed in caring for her elderly mother and mentally handicapped sister, said Sheriff Jack Strain.

"Early indications are that there appeared to be a great deal of medical problems," Strain said.

The victims were identified as Eupha West, 80, her mother; Janie West, 55, her sister; and Ronald Haley, 64.

All four had been shot with the same handgun Monday night, police said.

Authorities said the note on the front door was apparently intended to spare the housekeeper from the shock of discovering the bodies.

The note concluded by saying, "Thank you for your love and care."