Altus couple’s deaths ruled murder/suicide

ALTUS — A second autopsy report shows that two longtime Altus attorneys died from a murder/suicide.

The State Medical Examiner’s office identified the cause of death for Catherine Josephine Coke, 73, as a homicide from a gunshot wound to the head. Dr. Eleanor Abreo’s autopsy report showed her body arrived for autopsy still clad in a blue nightgown and her CPAP mask over her mouth.

Josephine Coke had a medical history of hypertension, sleep apnea and acid reflux, according to the report.

The findings followed Thursday’s release of the autopsy report for her husband, Troy Markus Coke, 73, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according Abreo. He was suffering from hardening of the small arteries of the kidney, mild heart disease and herniated discs in his back. He had been scheduled for back surgery the next day.

The couple’s bodies were discovered the afternoon of Feb. 18 after their daughter called a neighbor to check on them at their home in north Altus, 2304 Las Brisas. Both were found unresponsive.