Domestic violence between husband, wife leads to murder-suicide in Madera, sheriff says

Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue provided identities of the bodies found in a multi-million dollar home in Madera Ranchos on Tuesday and confirmed that the deaths were a result of continuous domestic violence that spiraled rapidly into a murder-suicide.

“This was a tragic outcome to a frightful incident,” said Pogue. “Everyone has the basic human right to live in safety free from violence and abuse.”

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office said on Wednesday that Monty Bounds, 60, and his wife Julie Bounds, 58, both died in the murder-suicide that took place at the home in the 33300 block of Avenue 12. Each suffered a single gunshot wound, according to the sheriff’s office.

Neither an emergency protective order to protect Julie Bounds nor the seizure of Monty Bounds’ firearms prevented the deadly outcome, the sheriff said.

Deputies also tried to track down Monty Bounds with the help of Clovis Police after telephone threats were made.

The couple was married for 10 years.

In the news conference, Pogue said that preceding the deaths, police issued an emergency protective order against Monty Bounds on Oct. 30 following his arrest.

He was again arrested on Oct. 31 and deputies were granted a non-release order and a bail enhancement to keep him away from his wife.

Monty Bounds also fought with deputies during an arrest and was subdued with an electronic stun device.

Monty Bounds was released by a Madera County Judge on Nov. 4 with a no-contact order and banned from having guns.

Still, he managed to obtain a handgun that was not registered to him to commit the fatal shootings, the sheriff said.

Deputies were called to the residence about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for a welfare check, and found the Boundses dead inside the home. It was not immediately known how long the two had been dead.

Madera Ranchos reactions to murder suicide

The violent deaths shook the Ranchos community.

Residents, business owners and others on Wednesday agreed that the subdivision is a safe place and no one who talked to The Bee could remember an incident with such violence.

Everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other, said Priscilla Burgin, who has been in town for two years. She and her husband operate a furniture store.

“I was shocked that something like that could happen in this community,” she said. “As far as violence, you don’t hear about that.”

People were sharing the story around on social media, with many people saying they knew the couple involved in the murder-sucide, she said.

Faviola Soto said her husband was headed east on Avenue 12 on his way home and saw all the commotion outside the house Tuesday.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” said Soto, a two-year resident of the town. “I think that’s why it’s so shocking: This is a quiet community.”

She said people in the area don’t hesitate to let their kids ride bikes outside or play in the neighbor’s yard, because violence hasn’t been a problem.

A resident of Madera Ranchos of 30 years who declined to give her name said traffic and drunk drivers have been a growing concern as Avenue 12 gets busier, but never gun violence.

“Not here in this community,” she said. “It shouldn’t happen here.”

Jeff Crow lived in the area for about 15 years, until 2010. He was there Wednesday promoting his business.

While officials had not yet said what led up to the murder-suicide, he worried the stresses of everyday life, whether personal or financial, played into it.

“It’s unfortunate,” he said. “It’s a sign of the times.”