CHARLO – Raelynn M. Charlo is dead because her husband Adrian M. McElderry shot and killed her, Lake County authorities alledged.

McElderry 32, of Charlo was arrested and charged with deliberate homicide Nov. 19.

Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene just after 5 a.m. Nov. 18 after McElderry called Lake County Emergency dispatcher and said his wife killed herself.

When deputies arrived to investigate the scene, they determined the shooting was “suspicious,” took McElderry into custody for questioning and began the wait for Missoula Crime Lab experts to determine Charlo’s cause of death, said Lake County Undersheriff Dan Yonkin.

The alleged murder occurred at the couple’s home on First Street in Charlo. Inconsistent evidence, along with inconsistent statements McElderry made raised authority’s suspicions, said Lake County Sheriff’s Department Public Relations Officer Karen Sargeant.

Investigators remained at the shooting scene all day investigating the incident.

McElderry was arraigned Nov. 20 before Lake County Justice Court Judge Joey Jayne and held without bail