BOOTHBAY HARBOR, Maine — Maine State Police said late Monday that a 71-year-old man killed his wife and son and then turned the gun on himself.
State police detectives have concluded that Svend Jorgensen shot his wife and son, and then turned the gun on himself, according to a news release issued by Maine Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.
The state medical examiner’s office said all three died of gunshot wounds to the head.
Carol Jorgensen’s body was found in her bedroom at her home on Lakeside Drive; Eric Jorgensen’s body was found in the kitchen of his home on Montgomery Road; and Svend Jorgensen’s body was found in the basement of the Lakeside Drive house, with a revolver next to him, according to McCausland.
Jorgensen left a handwritten note, but gave no explanation for the killings, McCausland said. The note gave information on his financial affairs and real estate, he added.
The last time anyone had contact with the family was on Wednesday, July 1, and state police say the shootings likely took place that day or the next. A family friend contacted Boothbay Harbor Police on Saturday to check on the family, which is when the bodies were found, McCausland said.
State police were assisted in the investigation by Boothbay Harbor Police and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Eric Jorgensen had taught social studies for the past five years at Catherine McCauley High School in Portland. He was still on the staff at the time of his death, according to Kathryn Barr, head of the all-girls Catholic school.
Jorgensen had received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Farmington, according to the school website.
He was the adviser last year for the school yearbook and was proud of the work done by the students, Barr said, and he also led a team of students on an archaeological dig in the Baxter woods next to the school. The property had been the home of former Maine Gov. Percival Baxter.
The students uncovered a lot of pottery and copper wiring, Barr said.
“He was a hard worker.” Barr said. “He was dedicated. He always had a smile on his face.”
His death is a challenging time for the school, and the staff is working to have counselors ready for staff or students, she said.
Catholic Bishop Robert Deeley issued a statement Monday on the deaths.
“On behalf of the Diocese of Portland, I offer my deepest sympathy to friends and other members of the Jorgensen family who are grieving at this time of tragedy. We also pray for the consolation of members of the Catherine McAuley High School community. May God’s love and mercy heal them, and help them all find peace,” Deeley said.
Jorgensen had lived in a rambling red-shingled house at 46 Montgomery Road, and his parents, Svend and Carol Jorgensen, lived at 236 Lakeside Drive.
Svend Jorgensen was born in Denmark and had worked as an engineer at Bath Iron Works before retirement. Carol Jorgensen had worked at the Portland International Jetport.
In May, Eric Jorgensen moved from Portland to Boothbay Harbor, into the house that had belonged to his grandmother Gladys Pratt. She died last year. Another brother lives in the Freeport area and works on tanker ships.