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Lenexa man kills ex-wife, himself after alimony caseOLATHE, Kan. (UPI) — A 49-year-old man shot his ex-wife to death before turning the gun on himself outside the Johnson County Courthouse shortly after a judge denied his request to reduce alimony payments, authorities said.The man, Charles Gest, Lenexa, was removed from life support at Humana Hospital in Overland Park about 9 p.m. and was pronounced dead before 10 p.m., Griffin said.His ex-wife, Shirley Gest, 44, of Stilwell, was declared dead at the Olathe Medical Center after the shooting, police spokesman Lt. Larry Griffin said today.The couple’s 16-year-old son, who was with his parents when the shootings occurred, “was administering CPR on his mother when officers arrived.*’ Griffin said. The boy was not injured.The shootings occurred Thursday afternoon outside the courthouse after a hearing in which District Judge Janice Russell denied a motion to reduce alimony payments of $1,200 a month.Police said Gest had left the courtroom ahead of his ex-wife and apparently went to a nearby restaurant with a view of the courthouse and waited for Mrs. Gest to leave the building.Although it was not immediately determined where Gest got the gun, police said the shootings occurred in an area of on-street parking adjacent to the courthouse. Mrs. Gest was shot several times, including a shot to the head, Griffin said. Gest was shot once in the head.Police recovered a .38 caliber pistol believed used.In addition to their 16-year-old son, the couple had a son who is about 20. The oldest son was not present at Thursday’s hearing, Griffin said.The couple reportedly had been through a bitter divorce. Gest had wanted his alimony payments reduced while he established himself in a new job.Mrs. Gest was executive secretary for the Association jfor Retarded Citizens of Johnson County and had worked until 2 p.m. the day she was killed.
Newspaper Details
Independence Examiner
Independence, Missouri, US
Fri, Jan 08, 1988
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Salina P.
KS, USA 29 Jun 2018
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Independence Examiner
