This Colorado sheriff’s deputy, who was a former Marine, has been found dead with her bullet-riddled body discovered next to that of a man in what police are treating as a suspected murderer-suicide.

The incident took place in the city of Denver, the capital of the western US state of Colorado, when the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the lifeless body at about 9.45am on 31st January.

The victim has been named as Latasha Betterly-Byrd, age not reported, and investigators believe that she was killed by a man who then took his own life.

She reportedly had two children, who were home at the time of the killing and who went outside to call for help before waiting for police to arrive, according to one report.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office said: “Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and an adult female deceased from multiple gunshot wounds.”

The police investigation into the brutal killings is ongoing. The man who was found dead next to the sheriff’s deputy has not been named. The police said that the incident appears to have been a domestic violence incident.

Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins said: “We can confirm with heavy hearts that Denver Deputy Latasha Betterly-Byrd passed away earlier today.”

Betterly-Byrd had only reportedly graduated from the police academy in November 2021. Sheriff Diggins said: “Deputy Betterly-Byrd graduated from our Academy in November 2021 and was an outstanding and promising new deputy, assigned to the Downtown Detention Center.

“This is a very difficult time for her immediate family and Department family as well. We ask that you keep everyone who cares for her in your thoughts and prayers.”