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Police investigate murder-suicide

The man who police suspect of killing his wife before turning the gun on himself, had several incidents of violence in past months.

State police at Hazleton are investigating the deaths of Denise Wilkinson, 44, and William Wilkinson, 44, of 37 E. Main St., in the village of Junedale, Banks Township.Troopers said their bodies were found about 10:45 p.m. Friday when they responded to the home for a report of a domestic incident called in to the Carbon County Communications Center.On scene, troopers found Denise Wilkinson dead and her husband also deceased. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.Troopers did not say what killed Denise Wilkinson, but said they are investigating it as a murder-sucicide.Autospies were scheduled for this morning at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.Last month, on June 24, Wilkinson was involved in what state police at Fogelsville called a road rage incident along Route 309 in Heidelburg Township. He was charged with simple assault and harassment of Lucas Heller, 23, of Gilbert.On June 26, two days later, he pleaded guilty in Carbon County Court to one count of recklessly endangering another person. The charge stemmed from an incident on April 3.He was arrested by state police at Hazleton for an incident at his residence with his wife as the victim.Troopers said he shot a bullet into the front driver's side tire of his wife's car.Judge Joseph J. Matika told Wilkinson, who said he was intoxicated at the time, it was a "stupid" and "dangerous" thing to do.He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.The sentence also included the provision that Wilkinson not have in his possession or at his residence any firearms during the probation period.Troopers said the investigation into the incident is continuing.

LARRY NEFF/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS Police found William Wilkinson and his wife, Denise, dead at their residence at 37 E. Main St. in Junedale.