Douglas investigators: Elderly Gardnerville couple die in apparent suicide pact

An 86-year-old Gardnerville man who held Douglas County deputies in a Sept. 1 standoff in which the man's wife was deceased inside the home, died Friday from apparent organ failure after ingesting medications, a Douglas County sheriff's sergeant said Tuesday. Investigators say the couple made a suicide pact.
William Lewis, 86, died at Renown Medical Center in Reno. His wife, Phyllis Lewis, 82, was found dead inside the couple's Edlesborough Circle home, said Sgt. Pat Brooks.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigators have determined the incident appears to be the result of a suicide pact between Mr. Lewis and his elderly wife of 60-plus years. Information uncovered during the investigation reveals the couple intended to commit suicide due to the declining health of Mrs. Lewis, said Brooks.

The couple had formulated a plan to commit suicide by ingesting excessive medication and asphyxia, and that no other persons were involved in the planning or execution of their mutual arrangement, he said.