A need to bring it all to an end last week, caused one man to shoot his wife and himself in order to cease his wife's pain and suffering.

Police said it was after receiving a postal letter from Robert Boyer, 58, of Hudson Drive in Brentwood, that they found both Boyer and his wife, Janis, 56, deceased in their home at about 1 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Police estimate that the two had died of gun shot wounds to the head about 24 hours earlier.

"That morning we received a letter (postmarked Dec. 19) at the station from Mr. Boyer," said Brentwood Police Lt. James Martinez.

Martinez said that the letter said, "(By) the time you receive this, I will have killed my wife and myself."

While no prior incidents had been called in regarding the Hudson Drive residence, Martinez said that Boyer's letter had stated, "His wife was suffering from illness and was in a lot of pain."

Martinez also said that according to the letter, "This was his (Boyer's) option and this was what he needed to do."

Based on the injuries, Martinez said that there didn't appear to be any struggle and that death was immediate.