Identities of apparent murder suicide-victims released, motive a mystery

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Aimee Larkin via Facebook

Abington Manor. Chad Sebring / Staff Photo

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP - Police Chief Robert Gerrity released the names this morning of the two victims from an apparent murder-suicide at Abington Manor Monday evening.
Police believe Howard H. Kinney, 79, of Overfield Twp., was shot in the chest by licensed practical nurse Aimee Larkin, 42, of Dunmore before Ms. Larkin shot herself in the head in the Edella Road long-term care and rehabilitation facility.
Police are still investigating a motive. There was no suicide note at the scene.
Mr. Kinney was killed at about 5:30 p.m., roughly an hour-and-a-half into Ms. Larkin's eight-hour shift.
Chief Gerrity said Monday night that there was no indication the nurse had been disgruntled. She had worked at the facility since 2011. Mr. Kinney had been a resident there roughly two years.
No one else was harmed, though others were shaken by the event.
Police have recovered the weapon, but Chief Gerrity said Tuesday that police did not yet know if the weapon belonged to Ms. Larkin.
According to Genesis HealthCare's website, Abington Manor specializes in transitional care, helping patients bridge the gap between hospital and home. The facility provides short-term care, long-term care including medical and support services for elderly residents and people with a chronic condition or a prolonged illness, hospice care and cardiac management services.
Lackawanna County Coroner Tim Rowland said autopsies of Mr. Kinney and Ms. Larkin are planned for this afternoon.