A trip to the mailbox felt entirely different for Parksville resident Ken Bucyk on Wednesday.
That’s because the home of his longtime friends — whom he and his wife, Carol Bucyk, visited so often — has become the scene of a shocking crime.
“Everybody’s still kind of walking around in a daze because we still can’t, we’re trying to accept it and it’s going to take time,” said Ken.
Oceanside RCMP say officers found the bodies of two seniors at a home in the 700-block of Soriel Road shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday after someone called 911 saying there were unconscious people inside the residence.
Friends have identified the victims as 90-year-old Joe Coyne and his 76-year-old wife Shelley Hardisty.
RCMP told CHEK News the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide.
“Joe and Shelley were the kind of people you wanted to have in your neighbourhood. They were both kind, helpful, funny, they enjoyed life and a good laugh,” said Carol.
“It’s still a lot of shock and disbelief because they were a large part of our neighbourhood,” said Ken.
The seniors were active members of the Parksville Lawn Bowling Club and known as friendly neighbours who always had the coffee on and a recipe going.
“When Joe or Shelley was in the kitchen doing ribs, it was going to rock you it was going to be a lovely meal,” said Carol.
The couple’s home had just sold a few weeks earlier, and they were about to move from into a smaller condo, according to friends, who say there was never any indication of trouble in their marriage, or illness before their bodies were found by their son on Tuesday.
“There are no answers,” said Carol. “Our neighbours are all going what? Like no sense at all.”
Carol had just seen her friend the day before the bodies were found, and the two were eagerly planning a Canada Day party, which has now been cancelled out of respect.
“It’s hard to reconcile because it doesn’t make any sense,” she said.
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Skye Ryan
