DaytonDailyNews.com

TROY — Police and sheriff's deputies investigating an apparent murder-suicide Sunday morning, April 5, in which a woman shot and killed her estranged husband, then shot and killed herself, found a letter at the woman's home that "alludes to some issues," said Miami County Sheriff's Capt. Dave Duchak.

The woman also told a deputy after she had shot herself that she had shot her husband.

Miami County Coroner Dr. Bruce Nordquist said Sunday evening each victim died of a single gunshot wound. He said Sidney Bryant was 65 and Sherry Bryant was 61. Their address was 8900 West Ohio 571, West Milton.

In Troy, Sidney Bryant was shot in the face in the parking lot of the former Stouder Memorial Hospital off Wayne Street around 9 a.m. Sidney Bryant apparently had been living in an apartment in the former hospital building, Troy Police Capt. Chuck Adams said.

Police were told by 911 dispatchers that a woman heard a loud noise, then saw the man on the ground next to a Dodge Ram truck. She said she saw a gold-color van leave the area. The witness declined comment.

A short time later, 911 received a call from an employee of the Certified Oil station on South Miami Street in West Milton. The caller said a woman came into the business and said she had just shot her husband in Troy.

Deputies working in the West Milton area arrived a few minutes later and told Sherry Bryant, who had returned to her van, to exit the vehicle.

"The deputies gave her commands to get out. She would not comply, and shot herself," Duchak said. CareFlight was called but left after the woman died at the scene, he said.

Sherry Bryant had a .38-caliber revolver, Duchak said.

Duchak said deputies were familiar with the couple from domestic calls to their home near West Milton.

Adams said the Bryants were separated and a civil protection order was in place Sherry Bryant since November.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2000 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.