Husband and Wife Found Dead in Homicide/Suicide Incident

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, June 28, 1999
West Valley Area Homicide/Suicide

On Saturday, June 26, 1999 at 10:30 a.m., two relatives of Joseph and Diana Shadi, went to the Shadi’s apartment in the 18300 block of Kittridge Street in Reseda to check on their welfare. The relatives had not heard from the husband and wife for two days and had become concerned. When their door-knocking went unanswered, the relatives contacted the apartment manager and they entered the apartment. They discovered the bodies of the 46 year old Joseph and his 43 year old wife Diana, both lying dead on their bedroom floor.

The relatives called 911 and responding LAFD Paramedics pronounced the two dead at 10:48 a.m. The police responded and conducted a homicide investigation.

The investigation has indicated that Joseph Shadi, a self employed electrical contractor, had been shot several times in the head and upper back with a small caliber handgun. Diana Shadi, who was unemployed, had sustained a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head. A .22 caliber revolver, later determined to be registered to her, was found in her hand.

The couple had been married for over ten years and had been living in the Kittridge Street apartment complex since July of last year. Neighbors had reported hearing arguments from the couple’s apartment in the past few weeks.

Pending the results of the coroner’s autopsies, the case is being handled as a murder/suicide. The evidence indicates that Diana Shadi shot her husband Joseph Shadi and then turned the gun on herself.

The investigation is being conducted by the West Valley Homicide Unit.

For Release 9:35 am PST
June 28, 1999