On Thursday evening, Waterbury police found the bodies of a 59-year-old Waterbury man and his 39-year-old daughter while investigating a fire that took place at their residence.

The two were apparently found dead in Clover Street home that caught on fire. Upon examining the autopsies, police have since ruled the incident a murder-suicide, and believe that the father shot the daughter in head, set couch on fire, and then shot himself in head.

Sources said the fire was reported around 6:42 p.m., after an explosion took place inside the home. Firefighters had a difficult time gaining entry to the home, which was heavily fortified with plywood over the windows, fastened from the inside and reinforced with heavy steel bars.

The house itself was considered to be vacant by neighbors and firefighters said there wasn't at first any indication that anyone was inside. The house had had no power for some time and the man apparently kept rain water in a barrel for drinking rather than paying for utilities.

Neighbors had long noticed strange behavior out of the man and woman and said they acted like recluses, though they didn't cause any trouble. The man's sister said was unaware there were any problems with her brother. The man, by her account, served honorably in the United States Navy and was known as a loving father who was very protective of his daughter. Neighbors said there was no conflict between them as far as they knew.

Source: masslive.com, "Connecticut murder-suicide case remains under investigation," Conor Berry, July 29, 2011.