Relatives: Husband shoots wife, himself before family reunion

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 40-year marriage with a history of domestic violence ended Wednesday with a crime scene.

"I don't know what happened down there but this is terrible," said neighbor Reuben Brooks.

Those closest to 65-year-old Nancy Tinsley and 67-year-old Oscar Tinsley are calling this tragedy a murder-suicide. They say Oscar killed his wife before killing himself. 

The shooting happened at a home on Ernjo Road, just north of Moncrief and Edgewood Avenue.

Family members said they were meeting to have a family reunion, with Wednesday being a "meet-and-greet" day.

"I know they've been having problems and it's documented. To the extent, I don't know," said Brooks. Action News dug up an old protection order from 1998 that

Nancy Tinsley filed against her husband. He was ordered to stay away from her and their family home for one year. 

Fast forward to Valentine's Day this year, when Oscar was arrested for domestic battery but released on probation less than 12 hours later.

"As a neighbor, we always saw him as a nice guy that pass by and speak all the time," said neighbor Shondriel Robinson.  

Neighbors said Oscar Tinsley suffered from recurring strokes and that he struggled with mobility. Family members said that health scare triggered changes in his mental state. Action News also found out that just this past weekend, he was rushed to the emergency room.  

"He just went to the hospital I think Sunday. Rescue took him," said Brooks.  

Rescue was back Wednesday for something worse. We're told Tinsleys' son discovered the bodies on a day that was supposed to be filled with the celebration of family.

For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts.

WJAX