The quiet stretch of Homer Place in the Town of Poughkeepsie was shattered Wednesday afternoon when police confirmed that Peter Lopez and his wife, Debbie Lopez, were found dead inside their home, ending a 34-year marriage in sudden and heartbreaking fashion. The couple’s deaths have left neighbors stunned and a community struggling to make sense of what unfolded behind closed doors.
Town of Poughkeepsie police were called to the residence at 21 Homer Place around 12:11 p.m. after receiving a report of a serious incident. When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman inside the home, both in their 50s. Despite emergency efforts, the two were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later identified the victims as 59-year-old Peter Lopez and his wife, 54-year-old Debbie Lopez, who was also known as Debbie Mawhinney-Lopez. Investigators determined that both had suffered apparent gunshot wounds, setting off an intensive investigation that quickly focused on the couple’s relationship and the circumstances leading up to their deaths.
Police have since indicated that the case is being treated as a domestic-related incident. According to investigators, evidence suggests that Peter Lopez shot and killed his wife before taking his own life. Officials stressed that the investigation remains ongoing but emphasized that there is no danger to the public.
Debbie Lopez was well known in the area, having previously worked for the Arlington Central School District. Originally from Howard Beach, she had built a life in Dutchess County that extended well beyond her workplace, touching students, colleagues, and neighbors alike. News of her death spread quickly, prompting an outpouring of grief from those who knew her as warm, dedicated, and deeply connected to her family.
Neighbors on Homer Place described the couple as longtime residents and said the tragedy came without warning. Several expressed disbelief that something so devastating could happen in a home that, from the outside, appeared no different from any other on the quiet street. The sense of loss has been compounded by the unanswered questions that often linger in cases like this.
Police have not released further details as they continue to finalize their investigation. Law enforcement activity may remain visible in the area for some time, officials said, as detectives work to complete reports and notify extended family. For now, the Town of Poughkeepsie is left mourning two lives lost and grappling with the painful reality of a domestic tragedy that has shaken the community to its core.
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