MURDER USA: Retired Maryland trooper tried to kill his estranged wife before killing himself

MURDER USA: Retired Maryland trooper tried to kill his estranged wife before killing himself

CRISFIELD, MD – Maryland State Police are investigating an apparent attempted murder and suicide that left a retired Maryland State Trooper dead and his estranged wife critically wounded on Saturday, March 31, 2018, in Crisfield, Md., in Somerset County.

The victim of the attempted murder is identified as Susan Preston, 44, of Delmar, Maryland. She is currently being treated for apparent gunshot wounds at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

Police say the dead man is identified as Gary Preston, 57, of Delmar, Maryland.  He was found deceased with an apparent gunshot wound.  A handgun was found in his possession. He was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

At 8:00 a.m. on March 31, 2018, Maryland State Police at the Princess Anne Barrack responded to a call for a shooting reported at a residence in the 2000 block of Silver Lane in Crisfield, Md.  Responding troopers found the female victim at the residence, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. She was immediately transported to the hospital.

The suspect was found lying on the floor of the living room with an apparent gunshot wound. EMS personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicates the victim’s sister called 9-1-1. She was on the phone with her sister, later identified as Susan Preston, when the incident reportedly occurred. Police believe the suspect, for unknown reasons, drove to the victim’s location where the shooting occurred.

State police investigators from the Criminal Enforcement Division are conducting an ongoing investigation.  Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded and are processing the scene. Assistance is being provided by the Crisfield Police Department.

Police say that there is no motive known at this time for the suspect’s actions. Police determined the victim is the estranged wife of the suspect.

Investigators believe the situation is contained to this attempted murder and suicide.  The investigation is continuing.

Obituary – Services on April 8, 2018

Gary Albertus Preston, 57, of Delmar, formerly of Barton, died March 31, 2018.

Born Sept. 22, 1960, in Keyser, W.Va., he was the son of Dale A. Preston Sr. and Mary Lou (Llewellyn) Preston of Barton. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Gary Jr.; his grandparents, Alfred and Eva (Miller) Preston and Albertus and Ethel (Jones) Llewellyn; and his retired K-9 partner, Nero.

Gary was a 1978 graduate of Valley High School. He previously worked at Jake’s Service Station, Westernport, prior to serving in the United States Army and he eventually retired from the Maryland State Police 1st Class K-9 unit with over 20 years of service.

He was currently employed at The Car Store as a certified state of Maryland safety inspection mechanic. He loved hunting, fishing, spending time with his kids and grandchildren and his dogs. Gary also enjoyed westerns, history and funny cartoons, especially Sponge Bob Square Pants.

In addition to his parents, Dale and Mary Lou, he leaves behind his daughters, Melissa Preston and fiancé, Derrick Leatherbury of Fruitland, Meghan Pfaller and husband, Russell of Pittsville; his son, Corey Preston and wife, Lisa of Orlando, Fla.; his brother, Dale Preston Jr. and wife, Terry of Rawlings; his sisters, Lou Ann McGuinness and husband, Allen of Martinsburg, W.Va. and Tonya Martin and husband, Stacy of Deer Park. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Caitlyn and Riley Leatherbury, Mckenzie Pfaller, and another grandchild due in April, and his ex-wife and friend, Gayle Basch; and sibling to the surviving children, John, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and his cherished pet, Smokey.

Friends and family will be received at the Boal Memorial Chapel, Barton, on Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at the Boal Chapel on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Sandy Cowan officiating.

Interment will be in Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser, next to his son, Gary Jr.

Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at boalfh.com