‘It was a love story that ended up tragic:’ Couple found dead in Atlantic Beach home in apparent murder-suicide

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — Neighbors are upset to learn a couple was found dead in their Atlantic Beach home. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office suspects this is a case of murder-suicide.

“It was just a love story that ended up tragic, but it was a love story,” Gail Goff said.

That love story lasted a very long time, but ended Monday.

“Tom did it out of love, for Joyce,” Goff said.

Police said when they got to the Atlantic Beach home on Garden Lane, they found two people were shot to death inside. Neighbors confirmed with Action News Jax they are Tom and Joyce Mauldin.

“And if it was a suicide type thing, it was pure out of love and I’m sorry,” Goff said.

Goff said the Mauldins were not only her neighbors, but her friends of more than 30 years.

“He is retired military, she had dementia, and it was going downhill very fast,” Goff said.

Goff said while Tom was taking care of his wife, he was dealing with some recent back pain.

“He would not let anyone take care of her but him,” she said.

Goff is trying to remember how they lived, instead of how they died.

“They were an ideal couple. Everyone should pattern themselves after them,” Goff said.

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2 dead in suspected murder-suicide 2 dead in suspected murder-suicide

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