Couple Found Dead In Lake Elsinore Known To Neighbors As Quiet, Nice People

UPDATED AT 11:59 p.m.: A man and woman found dead in their Lake Elsinore home Monday night are being described by a neighbor as nice people willing to help others.  

The bodies of Dannie Weekes, 57, and his wife, Ann Weekes, 55, were found shortly after 10:30 p.m. Monday in their rural home located in the 29000 block of 3rd Street in Lake Elsinore. Both appeared to have suffered gun shot wounds, Sgt. Todd Torrenti of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Central Homicide Unit reported.  

According to Torrenti, the investigation is being treated as a homicide-suicide. The coroner's office reports the wife was shot by the husband, who turned a handgun on himself.

A neighbor who asked not to be identified was at the victim’s property Tuesday afternoon to feed and water several chickens housed there. Walking through the sprawling but modest residence shaded with mature trees, the neighbor would not discuss personal issues that may have been going on between the pair.  

“That would not be right,” the neighbor said, but told Patch the deceased woman seemed to age overnight. Asked whether the woman was suffering from illness or heightened stress, the neighbor would not say.  

“I can’t believe it … ” the neighbor continued, adding the pair were grandparents who made their living selling bird products, such as toys and perches.

The Weeks' operated Devine Bird Products out of their home, the neighbor confirmed.

"He wanted to be a farmer, and she went to shows to sell chickens and their products," the neighbor said.

The pair allegedly moved into the small brown house surrounded by chain link fencing approximately two-a-half years ago.  

“Their grand kids are adorable,” the neighbor said.  

Third Street is a quiet dirt road dotted with large properties featuring mostly manufactured homes and trailers. Several residents Patch spoke with said the street is generally quiet. Most said they did not know the couple, who allegedly kept to themselves.

It’s unclear who contacted police Monday night. According to Torrenti, the sheriff’s department received a call at approximately 10:37 p.m. asking deputies to check the welfare of those at the residence.

“Upon arrival, officers were able to see an apparently deceased male through a window. Entry was made into the residence and they also located a deceased female within the residence,” Torrenti reported.  

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Investigator Del Dean of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Investigator Amy Beatty of the Lake Elsinore Station at (951) 245-3300.

The deaths follow a homicide investigation Saturday night. Click here for more on that story.