An Irish woman living in New York was shot dead in a suspected murder-suicide on Saturday morning.
Denise Morgan, from Co Louth, was found unresponsive by NYPD officers in her home in Queens after neighbours reported gun fire.
Police responded to the 911 call at 2.44am on Saturday morning.
“Upon arrival, officers observed two persons (one male, one female), unconscious and unresponsive with sustained gunshot wounds to their respective heads, within the second floor living room area of the residence,” the NYPD said in a statement.
Medical personnel pronounced the 39-year-old Louth woman dead at the scene. A 33-year-old American man was also found dead.
A firearm was recovered in the vicinity of the man, who is understood to have been known to Ms Morgan.
The NYPD are not looking for anybody else. However, the investigation is described as ongoing.
Ms Morgan was from Tullyallen in Co Louth. She moved to New York in 2018 and had been working in The Cottage Bar Restaurant, in Forest Hills, Queens.
In a social media post, Ms Morgan’s sister, Shannon said: “No words can express the pain we are dealing with. In the blink of an eyelid, our world is broken and we are absolutely crushed.
My brilliant sister has been taken from my life by such a heinous cowardly act. We will never get justice for this. We are absolutely heartbroken. She was the kindest, sweetest soul I know.”
Her sister Lisa added: “We love you forever and always baby sister until we meet again, our lives will never be the same again.”
The Cottage Bar Restaurant in Queens, where Ms Morgan worked, also paid tribute: “The sudden loss of Denise Morgan has left us all in shock and sorrow. It is incredibly difficult to comprehend the void left by her sudden departure.
“Her warmth, kindness, and vibrant spirit will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Our heartfelt condolences are for her family as you mourn this profound loss. We will always appreciate the person she was.”
Fr Seán Dooley, parish priest at the Church of the Assumption in Tullyallen, offered prayers of comfort as family and friends “go through the most horrible time in their lives.”
