SARVER — The murder-suicide that took place this morning in the Chesterfield Estates housing development has been confirmed by authorities.

According to Sgt. Rick Healey with the Buffalo Township Police Department, Todd Negley, 44, shot his ex-wife, Lee Ann Negley, 43, multiple times with a 9 mm gun about 6 a.m.

The woman was shot in the basement family room of her home at 137 Heathfield Drive, and Todd Negley then shot himself once, according to John Hanovick, Butler County deputy coroner.

The mother of Lee Ann Negley found the two after she arrived at the home about 9:45 a.m., Healey said. Both were pronounced dead by 10:45 a.m., shortly after Hanovick arrived.

The two divorced in September 2015, but Healey did not know who filed for divorce. The divorce proceedings included issues of abuse and child custody, according to the prothonotary's office.

Healey said Todd Negley showed up at the house under the guise of returning their children, two daughters, back to Lee Ann Negley, but the children were not with him. Todd Negley also had one other child.

“We believe he was the aggressor only because of the injuries to the woman,” Healey said. “He just went off the deep end because she was going to start dating again. We weren't surprised.”

Todd Negley also had two Protection From Abuse Orders filed against him by Lee Ann Negley and they both were dismissed. One was dismissed in June of 2015, and a second that was filed in January and dismissed later that month.

Lee Ann Negley was a teacher at South Buffalo Elementary School in the Freeport School District.

District Superintendent Ian Magness released this:

“Our Freeport Area family is devastated by the horrific news of the passing of our beloved colleague. Our genuine prayers are with the family, most especially the children.

“As we begin our new school year and welcome back our staff and students in the coming weeks, our district will be providing supports for our employees, students and families to ensure that our school community's emotional and other needs are met as we grieve.”

Todd Negley worked for TUDI Mechanical Systems as a commercial services technician.

Healey said the investigation still is open.