New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2019

Contact:
Kate Spiner, Director of Communications
kate.spiner@doj.nh.gov | (603) 573-6103

Heather Cherniske, Assistant Attorney General
heather.cherniske@doj.nh.gov | (973) 610-4741

Danielle Sakowski, Senior Assistant Attorney General

Autopsy Results in Littleton, New Hampshire Suspicious Deaths

Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Littleton Police Chief Paul J. Smith announce that the autopsies have been completed on Clarence W. Sleeper, age 85, and Gertrude H. Sleeper, age 84, who were found dead following a welfare check at their 18 Hilltop Manor, Littleton, New Hampshire residence on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie V. Duval determined that the cause of Ms. Sleeper's death was a single gunshot wound to the head, and that her manner of death was a homicide. Dr. Duval determined that the cause of Mr. Sleeper's death was a single gunshot wound to the head, and his manner of death was a suicide.

Although the investigation into the circumstances surrounding these two deaths remains active and ongoing, it appears that Mr. Sleeper shot and killed Ms. Sleeper, and then shot and killed himself. No additional information is expected to be released at this time.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658