Police ID man, woman killed in murder-suicide


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OGDEN — Police have identified the man who allegedly shot his estranged wife and daughter before taking his own life.

Ogden police identified the shooter as Richard Candland, 52. Police responded to reports of gunshots fired at 548 N. Eccles Avenue just after 5 p.m. Saturday.

When police arrived, officers encountered a 22-year-old female with a gunshot wound to the hand, police said. Cynthia Candland, 50, was also fatally shot by her estranged husband. Police said the 22-year-old daughter had tried to intervene and was shot by her father.

Police closed the area around 500 N. Eccles Avenue while a SWAT team was called out to secure the home, police said. The daughter was tranported to a local hospital where she received medical treatment for her gunshot wound.

Candland was a popular educator with the Weber State University School of Nursing and school chairwoman Susan Thornock said other professors were in shock Monday.

"First off all, disbelief that something could happen to such a nice person in this fashion," Thornock said. "She affected many people because of her gentleness and her kindness. She was just a sweetheart."

In addition to teaching, Thornock said Candland was on several committees and worked in the critical care unit at McKay-Dee Hospital.

"She was a model educator and a team player. There was never a time when she was involved with a group or committee that she wasn't proactive, never said no, always went forward in a very positive manner," she said. "She did love what she did and people loved her."

Thornock said in recent months, Candland had expressed to some of her closest friends at the school that she was fearful of her husband and had expressed concern.

"No one thought it was this serious," she said.

Croyle said she was not aware of any prior responses by Ogden police to the house for domestic violence issues. Other than traffic tickets, state court records show Richard Candland had no prior criminal history in Utah.

Cynthia Candland filed for divorce on Aug. 25. According to a temporary restraining order signed by a judge on Aug. 26, Richard Candland was banned from using any funds in his estranged wife's retirement accounts, bank accounts or stocks, according to court records. Police released a statement Monday morning in regards to the shooting:

“Our condolences go out to the Candland family,” the statement said. “This is a very tragic circumstance. Domestic violence crimes tear apart the fiber of the family unit and the community. If you or a loved one is involved in a domestic violence relationship, there are resources to help. October is domestic violence awareness month. Your Community Connection is a community partner to assist in domestic violence resources.”

Domestic Violence LINKLine: 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)

Contributing: Peter Samore and Nicole Vowell

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