I saw this article in the News Feed on Lyme Friends. How horribly tragic!
Two dead in murder-suicide had advanced Lyme disease
The bodies of George and Jonalyn Strobo were found Thursday at a Pilot station.
By Austin L. Miller Staff writer
Published: Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 6:30 a.m.
In happier times, George R. Strobo and his wife Jonalyn Maureen Strobo loved crisscrossing the country in their camper.
On Thursday, deputies found the 48-year-old man and his 49-year-old wife shot to death inside a travel trailer at the Pilot Travel Center at Interstate 75 and County Road 484.
Robert Sandlin of the Marion County Sheriff's Office said Friday that the deaths were a murder-suicide.
Sandlin said investigators recovered three guns inside the trailer - two .357 handguns and a derringer.
The derringer was wrapped inside a blanket, along with the body of the couple's beloved 14-year-old Chihuahua, Dolly, who also died from a gunshot wound.
"At this point in the investigation, the only two people involved in this case are the ones we located in the trailer," said Sandlin.
He would not reveal whether any of the guns were used in the shooting.
Although an autopsy was conducted Friday on both victims, Sandlin declined to say where they were shot or elaborate on the fatal wounds.
He did say, however, that several handwritten notes were found near the bodies, and that the bodies were within close proximity to each other.
Peggy Strobo Haynes, 55, the sister of George Strobo, lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.
She spoke with the Star-Banner by phone Friday afternoon.
She said her brother and sister-in-law both were in the advanced stages of Lyme disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control website, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by infected ticks.
If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart and nervous system.
Most cases can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics.
Some patients, particularly those diagnosed with later stages of the disease, may have persistent or recurrent symptoms.
Longer courses of antibiotics have been linked to serious complications, including death.
She said no one would treat them for the advanced stage of Lyme disease in Texas, so they journeyed to the Florida Keys for treatment that "involved pills and injections."
She said the treatments they had received prior were so expensive they were forced to file bankruptcy as both were unemployed and their unemployment benefits had run out and were not extended.
George worked for a Christian camp and Jo was a manager at a title/escrow company for 30 years, she said.
Haynes said her brother talked to her about ending his life and that of his "beloved wife Jo."
She believes their deaths were a mercy killing.
"They are in heaven," she said, because she knows they wouldn't just "leave each other without getting right with God first."
When asked why they were in Ocala, Haynes replied, "Who knows."
- - -
The couple's son, Michael Strobo, 27, said in a telephone interview Friday from his home in Texas that Florida was his parents' favorite destination because of its warm weather and coastlines.
The last time he saw them was in April, when they visited him and his girlfriend in Texas before heading back to the Sunshine State.
"It's a very shocking situation. Words cannot describe how I feel," an emotional Strobo said.
Strobo said his parents are from Texas and that they were in Florida for almost a year seeking medical attention for "an advanced disease state."
He declined to say what the disease was.
Strobo said both sought treatment in Texas, but that was unsuccessful, so they decided to see a specialist in Florida who was willing to treat them.
He did not know where they were being treated.
He said the last time he talked to them was late last month.
Strobo said his parents had no friends or family in Ocala, and he has no idea what they were doing in the area.
He said his parents loved traveling together, and the reason they had two trucks and two trailers was because they had all their belongings with them, including Dolly.
"They loved the dog unconditionally," he said.
Strobo said his only sibling, a brother, died at age 19 from cancer 10 years ago.
- - -
The Strobos' vehicles, a green 1998 Dodge pickup, a white 2001 Dodge pickup, a 2006 Gulf stream Cavalier travel trailer and a 2006 utility trailer, were parked at the Pilot Station around 5:30 p.m. June 29.
Ronald Ernst told the Star-Banner on Thursday that he parked his trailer beside the vehicles at 11 a.m. July 1.
At the time, he said, he did not notice anything suspicious and left the area.
He returned Thursday to pick up his empty trailer and that's when he heard the news.
Employees at the Pilot store told deputies the four vehicles had been there for 10 days.
During that time, notices were placed on them stating that they were parked illegally and needed to be removed.
The store manager called the Sheriff's Office on Thursday when an employee throwing away garbage detected an awful smell.
Deputy Roderic Marques noted in his report that he knocked on the trailer door because it was locked.
The windows, he said, were covered.
Underneath the trailer were two Honda generators, and beside them was a blue plastic container that had a hose in it that stretched to the trailer.
Opening a window, Marques said, the odor was strong and flies attempted to escape.
The deputy called for backup.
When officials first entered the green pickup, they found an empty gun holster, a small black travel diary and a key.
The key did not fit the trailer's lock, so, using a metal object, deputies opened the door and found the couple on the bed.
- - -
Haynes said the couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in May and that they met as students in Arizona.
She said they loved each other deeply and were "as much in love today as they were 30 years ago."
She said they kept in contact through e-mail and by phone and that the last time she heard from her brother was two weeks ago.
They were very close, even as kids, she said and he loved CB radio, fishing and hunting and was a devout Christian.
Growing up, because he had red hair and freckles, he got teased, but overcame that, Haynes said.
She said the couple got Dolly as a pup, at a yard sale. Dolly could do many tricks, she said, including acrobatics.
Haynes said Dolly loved it when the couple went to restaurants and brought back doggie bags, and that the little canine really loved iced tea.
Strobo said he plans to have his parents cremated and sprinkle their ashes in the Texas hills.
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Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
So very sorry to hear this. My prayers go out to family and friends of these dear people.
Posted by terri3boys (Member # 12993) on :
That is incredibly sad and speaks VOLUMES about how screwed up this WHOLE LYME ISSUE is handled by most of the medical community!!!!!!
So, this couple was from Texas? I wonder how many doctors they tried here to help them.
I've been told several times "There's no Lyme in Texas!" Then it's followed by a chuckle, or a smile or a pat on the shoulder, etc. It's infuriating and degrading.
I'm curious who they saw in Florida. I pray it was an honest soul.
It sounds like they decided their journey was over ---- out of desperation. God bless their hearts and may they rest in peace.
Take care & remember tomorrow is a new day, terri3boys
Posted by bigstan (Member # 11699) on :
Wow so detailed. I've been really thinking that this might happen someday. It really is tragic. They sound like a loving couple. They are at peace now. May God bless them RIP.
I know people in my state whom had there spouses hide or get rid of all guns in the household due to having chronic neuroborreliosis. The mind is overwhelmed with bacteria, virus's, toxins, etc. Your just not thinking right.
Personally I've had a hell of a time.
Hey Tracy can you post the link to this article?
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
This is just horrible. And so wrong.
My heart aches for this couple and their families.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
Very sad Indeed. But I couldn't help but notice some 'defining text' that was in odd contrast to the facts presented in this case:
"Longer courses of antibiotics have been linked to serious complications, including death."
I know there are Many here (me included) that, at 1 point or another, considered taking our own lives out of hopelessness of ever truely recovering from this horrid disease ...
But, thanks to "longer courses of antibiotics", we have our lives back & want to do all we can to keep others from facing the same 'situation'.
We must continue to promote local Lyme support groups, educate our doctors about advances in Lyme research & disease management, and the serious consequences of following current IDSA treatment guidelines which, at the very LEAST, are alarmingly- & inexcuseably- inadequate!
And, of course, we need to support websites like this one to help make this all happen! Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
seriously this whole CDC b.s. about long courses of anti-biotics causing death.....come on, what kind of scare tactic is that. alot of us are proof that long courses work!!!
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I'm sorry; I don't know how to do the tiny url thing.
On the front page of www.lymefriends.org, there is box that says "Lyme Disease in the News" and it has about five news stories every day. There are always interesting stories; this was on there today.
[ 07-12-2010, 11:51 AM: Message edited by: sixgoofykids ]
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Very sad, but these deaths appear to be due to medical negligence. If there's any chance of folks in Texas being able to work towards getting doctor protection in Texas, that would be wonderful.
Posted by littlebit27 (Member # 24477) on :
I read that story Sunday morning. Extremely sad. I get it though-I wouldn't do it. But I understand where they are coming from and as I'm sure all of us do.
I'm also told quite frequently there isn't Lyme in GA. I've seen 3 ticks here so far-one day I'm going to stop being such a weenie and catch it to be tested.
Prayers are with their families
Posted by Got Lyme? (Member # 11109) on :
Just sent the author of the story a reponse:
Austin,
In your article about the 2 people who committed suicide you stated, "Longer courses of antibiotics have been linked to serious complications, including death."
Where did you get this information?
The truth is that longer courses of antibiotics are required in order to kill the bacteria. Yes, a death could occur if the prescribing doctor doesn't know enough about the bacteria and doesn't know what types or the amount of antibiotics are necessary. Our doctors must become trained in this matter.
Killing off the lyme bacteria causes a herx heimer reaction which must be carefully watched and the antibiotics reduced to prevent a death.
You may want to check out the website "ILADS.org" for more information from qualified doctors treating the very seriously sick with lyme disease. Doctors must be trained about how to treat patients with chronic lyme disease and they must stop refusing medical treatment to these very sick people.
I speak from experience as I have had Chronic Neurological Lyme Disease since 2004 and without the expert treatment I have receivec with long term antibiotics from qualified experienced doctors in the field, I would be dead from the disease.
Unfortunately, the real problem with this disease is the refusal of the medical world to treat people in order to kill the bacteria that is taking over their bodies and minds.
Showing the truth about lyme disease would be a great story if anyone had the nerve to follow through with it. There are many, many people who would be willing to tell their story of how lyme disease has destroyed their life and our country is doing nothing to find a way to get them better.
The controversy over "lyme disease" will continue until enough people finally stick up for the sick people and do the right thing: to demand proper medical care and disregard the foolish guidelines written by the Infectious Disease Society of America. The medical field seems to have a problem declaring how life threatening lyme disease can be. We that have it know differently.
How would you feel if a bacteria was taking over your body and mind and no one would kill the bacteria?
Posted by John S (Member # 19756) on :
I understand. I can't blame them. I hope I don't go out that way. Rest in peace.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
My condolences to their family and friends.
I'm so sorry for the obvious long time suffering of this couple. I completely understand why they did it. Before treatment, I thought about it everyday.
Great letter got lyme - Thanks for trying to educate the author.
I have 3 family members who are sick with lyme, can't work, can't get treatment. If it weren't for my husband, I'd be in the same position.
The reality that so many people with a treatable infection are forced to needlessly suffer like this is unbelievable.
A good reminder to all of us to keep writing those letters. Keep working on educating our doctors, family, friends, anyone who will listen.
Terry
Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
got lyme?,
that info about longer courses is right on the CDC website about lyme disease. (what a joke!)
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
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