Apparent murder-suicide shocks residents

Late last week, one of the most terrible tragedies in the history of this great county shocked residents.

Thirty-nine-year-old twin brothers, Travis and Eric Carlson, died in an apparent murder-suicide.

At around 5:15 p.m. last Thursday, Travis Carlson died from gunshot wounds on Tie Creek Road. The homicide suspect, Eric Carlson, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at an address on Belltower Mail Road the following morning, sometime between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.

On Monday, autopsies were completed at the state crime lab. The bodies will be cremated.

The Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently investigating the deaths, and once the state agents finish their investigation, a report will be presented to local officials. No further information will be released until that report is presented. Additionally, authorities have not commented on a motive.

Travis Carlson owned and operated Carlson Custom Fencing, and was working in the area. Eric Carlson owned land in the county. The men were originally from Canton, SD. Officials in South Dakota have notified the twins' deaths to their family.