Batesburg-Leesville man killed estranged partner, himself, authorities say

Lexington authorities say criminal domestic violence led to the shooting deaths of a Batesburg-Leesville couple found in their home Friday with gunshot wounds to the head.

Michael Dewayne Blume, 54, shot Wanda F. Howard, 61, twice in the head before turning the gun on himself, said Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

Lexington County sheriff’s deputies found Blume and Howard dead in their home at 432 Truex Road at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday after a family member asked for a welfare check.

Fisher said the couple died at about 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Howard and Blume were a couple for 22 years. But Howard recently left Blume and went to stay with her daughter, Fisher said.

According to family members, Howard returned to the Truex Road home after Howard asked her to come over to “talk.” Howard’s daughter started worrying when her mother would not answer her cell phone. She called the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department when no one answered the door.

Family members also said there was a history of domestic violence between the couple, Fisher said.

An elderly relative was in the home at the time but was uninjured.

This story was originally published June 6, 2015 at 10:25 AM with the headline "Batesburg-Leesville man killed estranged partner, himself, authorities say."