Charlie BonEske

February 14, 1920 - May 19, 1983

Couple found dead; suicide suspected

A Tacoma, Washington couple reported missing have been found dead on Mount Rainier, victims of what authorities believe was a suicide pact arranged because of the wife's terminal illness, Pierce County deputy sheriffs reported.

The couple, identified as Charles BonEske, 64, and Doris BonEske, 59, each had been shot once in the head with a .38-caliber revolver, believed to be one BonEske usually kept at home.

Bodies of the couple were found Friday morning lying side by side outside their car, which was parked along the bank of the Carbon River several miles west of the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.

Sheriff's Detective Terry Murphy said the couple's son reported his parents missing to the Tacoma Police Department after visiting their home May 19 and not finding them there. The son reportedly found some notes and other papers in the home that made him concerned about his parents' welfare, Murphy said.

The coroner's report indicated Mrs BonEske's physician thought she probably had only a few weeks to live because she was ill with cancer.

Murphy said his department was not sure of the time of death. The car had been seen parked at the site since mid-afternoon Wednesday, but there was no word on whether anyone had seen the couple alive in the park.

Seattle Daily Times, May 22, 1983