An 87-year-old man shot his 82-year-old wife before killing himself in a Shawano apartment over financial and health problems.

Police Chief Ed Whealon says the couple's son stopped by their house Monday afternoon after not being able to contact them.

Whealon says Robert Pedersen used a shotgun to kill his wife, Elaine Pedersen, and then himself Sunday evening.

Police discovered a letter mailed to the son detailing their reason. Whealon would only say it was a combination of financial and health issues.

He says the family had no clue of the problems.

The chief says the couple was well-respected in the community. Robert Pedersen was a retired engineer who had served on the city's industrial development commission for many years.