Murder/suicide investigation in Meriden

Meriden (WTNH) - Police are still trying to find the motive of the 45 Spice Hill Drive murder/suicide is being investigated. The couple had lived in the home for about two years. Neighbors say there was very little warning that anything was wrong here. That is, until they heard gunshots this morning.

Around 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, the shooter, identified as 37-year-old James Canty, sobbed an apology before fatally shooting himself in the final seconds of a murder-suicide that was recorded on a 911 dispatch tape.

Police released the 97-second tape on Thursday, a day after authorities found 32-year-old Michelle Barrows and 37-year-old James Canty dead in their Meriden home. Authorities found a handgun in Canty's hand and say he was responsible for the murder-suicide.

Canty is barely understandable through his sobs, some which are high-pitched and mistaken by the police dispatcher for a woman.

"I'm sorry!" he screams. "Please come to my house!"

"What's the matter?" the dispatcher says. "OK, you've got to calm down. What's the matter? Ma'am? Hello?"

Five gunshots are heard, and Canty continues to cry before falling silent.

Neighbors are shocked.

"Not in this neighborhood, especially them, they're quiet, nice people," Amanda Dionizio, a neighbor to the couple, said.

Neighbor Anthony Dionizio agreed.

"Very quiet, you know? They've waved to you, he'd come home, he'd cut the grass, wave to you and that was it," Dionizio said.

The couple was not married and there were no children in the home. Neighbors tell us there was some type of altercation a couple days ago though they didn't think anything of it at the time.

The incident is under investigation by the Major Crimes Unit of the Meriden Police Department.