SEBASTIAN — A next-of-kin death notification led police to discover the body of a 64-year-old resident, Patricia Rockwell-Kuhner, at her home on Saturday, officials said. The same day, law enforcement officers found the body of the suspect in the woman’s death, a 48-year-old man, in Volusia County.
“The suspect was not found deceased at the residence. They were in another jurisdiction,” said Sebastian police Deputy Chief Timothy Wood. Police determined the case is a murder-suicide.
On Tuesday afternoon, detectives publicly identified the suspect as Michael Rockwell, who they said is Rockwell-Kuhner’s son, Wood said.
Officers with the Daytona Beach Police Department first discovered the body of Rockwell in Volusia County on Saturday, Wood said. Then, Sebastian police officers went to Rockwell-Kuhner’s home to notify the woman of her son’s death.
“This investigation is ongoing, and the Sebastian Police Department is working diligently to determine the full circumstances surrounding the homicide,” Sebastian police officers said in a statement. “At this time, there is no ongoing threat to public safety.”
A firearm was not used, but officers found blood inside the residence, indicating foul play.
Sebastian police went to the home of Rockwell-Kuhner for the death notification about 10 p.m. on Saturday, officers said. Rockwell-Kuhner’s residence is located in the 1000 block of Barber Street, just east of Sebastian Boulevard.
Officers were trying to make contact with Rockwell-Kuhner but were not successful. Police found the woman’s vehicle parked at the home, officials said.
“By looking through a window, (officers) saw a body on the floor which prompted them to enter the residence,” Wood said.
Officers went inside the home and found Rockwell-Kuhner’s body. Through investigative means, detectives ruled the woman’s death as a homicide.
Police were awaiting autopsy results for Rockwell-Kuhner’s exact cause of death, Wood said. A motive for the murder-suicide was not yet known.
“This conclusion marks the culmination of careful investigative work, and we extend our deepest condolences to the Rockwell-Kuhner family during this incredibly difficult time,” Sebastian police said in a statement. “We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Sebastian Police Department detectives for the hard work in bringing closure to this case.”
No further information was immediately available.
