Doctor kills wife, then self in Michigan

A distraught member of the Filipino community in Michigan killed his 58-year-old wife in her sleep and then took his own life on Monday. Rolando Santa Ana, 63, is a pediatrician and retired US Army colonel with three children living in California. Police in Macomb County in Michigan, USA said Santa Ana called 911 at 7:45 a.m. and gave his home address and said he had a gun and was going to commit suicide, the county’s online newspaper reported Tuesday. The dispatcher then heard a gunshot and the conversation ended. When police arrived they found Santa Ana and his wife Eden lying dead in bed at their home in Ravens Pointe Subdivision off Schoenherr, near 21 Mile. The police also found a handgun on the bed and a suicide note in the bedroom, Macomb Daily said. Police said they both have gunshot wounds in the head. Santa Ana works as doctor at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison township after he received an honorable discharge from the US Army five years ago. Detroit News quoted investigators saying that Santa Ana was apparently distraught over possibly losing his job as government cutbacks at the township clinic. "The (suicide) note indicated (Rolando) is doing this because of financial reasons and possible job cutbacks," said Shelby Township Police Detective Terry Hogan. "There is no indication of any type of struggle." Neighbors on Greenville Drive were shocked by the shooting. They said the couple were heavily involved in the Filipino community, and often held parties at their brown brick two-story split-level home. Monica Shamami said the couple was friendly, and Eden could often be found tending to the flowers and other landscaping in the front yard. "They always had lots of people over. It looked like they got along," said Shamami, 34, who works for an automotive supplier. "They were wonderful people and very friendly," according to Shamami, who lived next door to the couple for the past two years. Mrs. Santa Ana used to send food and clothing to the Philippines every month. She said they were a member of a Filipino organization and had parties at their house several times during the summer. "Their kids came here from out of state last year for a large family party," said Shamami. "It's very sad. I didn't know what happened until I spoke to a neighbor." - GMANews.TV