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Abandoned Car, Apparent Suicide, Lead To Bodies Of NH Couple

HOOKSETT, N.H. (AP/CBS) — New Hampshire authorities say an abandoned car following a high-speed chase and its driver who apparently died by suicide led to the discovery of a couple found dead in their Hooksett home.

The attorney general's office said the car was found in Massachusetts and was registered to June and Thomas Cosma, of Hooksett. A man matching the description of the driver was found dead and was identified as 34-year-old Zachary Gloudemans.

Cosmas
Thomas and June Cosma (Family photo)

Hooksett police performed a welfare check on the Cosmas. An autopsy showed that the cause of death for 79-year-old June Cosma and 80-year-old Thomas Cosma was blunt force trauma to the head and that the manner of death was homicide.

The attorney general's office is investigating the deaths as likely murders and a suicide.

Cosma family members released a statement, thanking law enforcement, and saying, "We face the grim reckoning there is no way justice will be meted out for the reprehensible manner in which the Cosmas' loving presence was stolen from us."

Hooksett murders
Police investigate murders in Hooksett, NH (WBZ-TV)

A nephew tells WBZ their entire family is very close and are still waiting for answers from the investigation.

Daniel Cosma says his aunt and uncle never bothered anyone. "Right now we're just mourning," said he says. "It's tough."

Officials say Gloudemans was staying at a home near the Cosmas' home and that people who knew him say he was showing signs of drug abuse.

The Attorney General says the relationship between the suspect and the couple remains under investigation.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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