Deputies investigate apparent double suicide

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is investigating an apparent double suicide of a couple whose bodies were found Friday in a car in the garage of their home in the 1100 block of Buckbrush Drive.

Sgt. Jim Halsey identified the couple as Bonita Hoats, 61, and Steven Lastowski, 46. He said the bodies were found by Hoats' adult son who also lived at the residence.

Halsey said a vacuum cleaner hose was taped to the exhaust pipe of the vehicle and run through a rear window.

Deputies also found a small dead dog at Hoats' feet.

Halsey said toxicology reports were under way, but there was no evidence of force.

He said no weapons were found to indicate one of the victims killed the other before committing suicide.