UPDATED, August 17 12:30 p.m.:
The victim has been identified as Christine A. Briegel, 74. Christine Briegel was found murdered at an address in the 3700 block of Midway Beach Road where deputies were called to perform a welfare check. An autopsy was schedule to be conducted at the University of Iowa on August 16, 2022.
The suspect has been identified as Donald R. Briegel, 79. Donald Briegel was found deceased by the North Palm Beach Police Department (Florida) at a residence within their jurisdiction.
Donald and Christine Briegel were married and traveled between residences in Iowa, Tennessee, and Florida.
Based on details gathered by both law enforcement agencies, the incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide.
EARLIER STORY:
The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a possible murder/suicide that occurred on Monday, August 15, 2022.
At approximately 9:08 a.m., Muscatine Communications Dispatchers (MUSCOM) received a call from the North Palm Beach Police Department requesting deputies conduct a welfare check at a residence in the 3700 block Midway Beach Road in eastern Muscatine County.
North Palm Beach Police advised they had received information that a female had been murdered at the aforementioned address and the suspect had since returned to their jurisdiction. Local police had located the suspect vehicle and had been conducting surveillance on an adjacent residence.
Upon arrival, deputies forced entry into the residence where they located a deceased female. Deputies applied for and were granted a search warrant to enter and process the residence for evidence.
While deputies were processing the crime scene, the North Palm Beach Police Department advised that they had since made entry into a residence in their jurisdiction and located the suspect deceased of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The names of the decedent and suspect are not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. The investigation in on-going and further information may be available as the investigation progresses.
Those assisting with the investigation include the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine County Medical Examiners Office, Muscatine County Attorney’s Office, and the North Palm Beach Police Department.
