A retired New Jersey police officer broke into the home of her ex-girlfriend and shot her dead before committing suicide. Both were 47 years old and the tragedy left two orphaned children
William Beattie, a retired New Jersey police officer, broke into the home of her ex-girlfriend Erin Gatier and shot her to death before committing suicide, according to prosecutors.
They were both 47 years old. The murder-suicide was reported Monday when authorities found both bodies inside the home of Gatier, a mother of two, during a welfare check, the Gloucester County prosecutor’s office said.
“It was an abusive relationship, not physically, but mentally”
Matt Greenberg, co-worker of the victim
Beattie entered the home in South Jersey, the Press of Atlantic City reported. A co-worker of Gatier’s from several years ago said that according to the victim, Beattie was a troublesome man.
“She admitted to me that he was troublesome, that she was a very controlling person, and that she wouldn’t let her talk to anybody that he thought she might be some kind of a threat to him,” said former co-worker Matt Greenberg, of Pennsylvania. “It was an abusive relationship, not physically, but mentally.”
Beattie had to retire from the police force more than a decade ago due to “accidental disability,” state records show.
“Erin left behind two beautiful children who are tasked with unthinkable decisions and expenses,” said a GoFundMe page started by friends seeking to raise money for Gatier’s funeral costs.
In a similar case, in the middle of last month, an off-duty police officer in Greece (NY) fatally shot a 27-year-old Hispanic woman, wounded another, and then shot herself.
And in May on “Mother’s Day” a 36-year-old NYPD officer fatally shot a young man he suspected was having an affair with his wife and then committed suicide in Wallkill, Orange County (NY).
I looked for help
Call 1.888.NYCWELL (1.888.692.9355).
Text “WELL” to 65173.
Review information at https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/