Couple Identified in Alleged Montclair Murder-Suicide

Editor's Note: Although Montclair is a neighborhood section of Prince William County, not far removed from Woodbridge, Woodbridge Patch published this piece due to extreme interest among its readership.

Prince William County Police have identified the deceased couple from this morning's alleged murder-suicide incident in Montclair as Jennifer A. Bates, 38, of 8151 Erika Dr., Nokesville  -- who was killed by her husband -- and Robert W. Bates, 42, of the same address.

The couple were in the 15700 block of Widewater Drive in the Montclair area when they apparently got into a verbal argument. Bates' husband, Robert, pulled out a handgun after the incident escalated and shot Bates in the upper body. The husband then turned the gun on himself and shot himself in the head.

Robert Bates was pronounced dead at the scene but his wife was taken to a nearby hospital where she later died of her injuries.

According to police, an investigation is still pending as to why the couple were in Montclair. Police also state that they responded to the Bates' address for a domestic incident on June 26 earlier this year in which the husband was charged with domestic assault and battery.

An emergency protective order was assigned to either spouse in order to ban contact between the two. At the present time, the protective order is expired and no extension was filed.

The victim in this case was also apparently a Prince William County employee.

The incident was first reported on by the News & Messenger this morning after an investigation was underway in the Montclair neighborhood; visit their link for extended information on the case.