A California man allegedly shot and killed his wife inside their home before taking his own life in what police described as an apparent murder-suicide.
Hendrick Rabitzsch, 48, and his wife, Nicole Rabitzsch, 47, were found dead Saturday night at their residence in the 3100 block of Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Police Department said.
Both victims had suffered gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators believe Hendrick shot Nicole before using the firearm to kill himself.
‘A firearm was recovered at the scene. No other individuals are believed to have been involved. This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public,’ the department said in a September 26 press release.
‘The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending formal identification and notification of next of kin by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner,’ officials added.
Detectives believe the shooting occurred at about 6:42 a.m. The couple’s bodies were discovered approximately 15 hours later, when officers went to the property to conduct a welfare check.
Authorities have not said who requested the check or what prompted it. Officers arrived at the home, which appears to sit above a yoga studio, at about 9:40 p.m.
Police found the married couple dead inside, with a firearm located nearby, according to the department’s statement.
Hendrick Rabitzsch, 48, allegedly killed his wife inside their California home before dying by suicide in an apparent murder-suicide
Police said Hendrick and Nicole Rabitzsch, 47, were found dead Saturday night at their Santa Monica home on the 3100 block of Pico Boulevard
Both victims died from gunshot wounds to the head, and investigators believe Hendrick shot his wife first
The Santa Monica Police Department said: ‘This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public’
Investigators have released few additional details as they continue examining the circumstances that led to the couple’s deaths.
The Rabitzsches were both originally from Essen, Germany, and had been together for nearly three decades. They spent most of their lives in the United States, according to Hollywood LA News.
Posts on their social media accounts appeared to portray the couple as happy and deeply connected.
One photograph showed them as teenagers, smiling affectionately at the camera.
Their posts chronicled an affluent lifestyle that included Caribbean cruises, New Year’s celebrations on city rooftops, desert drives, hot springs under the Milky Way and frequent outings on the water.
Followers described them as a ‘power couple,’ while Nicole repeatedly referred to Hendrick as her ‘hubby’ in social media posts.
The pair often shared images from trips abroad and from their life in California, including roller-skating outings, bike rides and drives together.
Their final publicly documented getaway appeared to have taken place in May, when they boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise. In one photograph from the trip, Nicole posed beside her husband while holding an Aperol Spritz.
The shooting unfolded around 6.42am, but the couple’s bodies were not discovered until roughly 15 hours later when police said they arrived for a welfare check
The shooting unfolded around 6.42am, but the couple’s bodies were not discovered until roughly 15 hours later when police said they arrived for a welfare check
It remains unclear who requested the welfare check, but police got to the residence, which appears to be located above a yoga studio, around 9.40pm
The couple, both originally from Essen, Germany, had been together for nearly 30 years, spending most of their lives in the United States
Nicole had worked at an Audi dealership in downtown Los Angeles for nearly 13 years, after previously spending more than five years working for the automaker in Germany, according to her LinkedIn profile.
It remains unclear what Hendrick did for a living, but his social media profiles show him working on luxury cars such as Porsches, racing motorcycles and vintage cars and sharing screenshots of his cryptocurrency holdings.
Other videos show him flying small planes and helicopters to destinations like Las Vegas and Wyoming, as well as driving along the state’s coastal highways in high-end Mercedes-Benz cars.
In June 2023, Hendrick shared what appeared to be a heartfelt tribute to his wife on Instagram as they celebrated their anniversary.
‘Congratulations on 26 years my love – we’ve been through so much together! Who would have thought back then that we could endure it for so long – now someone has to imitate that!’ he wrote.
‘So, if your part of your interest was any more, we could hang on for a few more days,’ ending the message with a winky-face emoji.
Authorities are now urging anyone with information about the case to contact the Santa Monica Police Department Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
Last week’s grim discovery came just five months after another Santa Monica couple was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
The couple documented a life of luxury on their social medias, from Caribbean cruises to New Year’s celebrations on city rooftops
Nicole worked at an Audi dealership in downtown Los Angeles for nearly 13 years, after previously spending more than five years working for the automaker in Germany
It remains unclear what Hendrick did for a living, but his social media profiles show him flying small planes and helicopters
Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding their deaths as the investigation continues
Jeremy Ferguson, a prominent nonprofit leader who worked to reduce crime and promote economic growth in the city, and his 49-year-old wife, Mandy Zelinka, were found dead from gunshot wounds in April, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
At the time, police said Ferguson emailed a suicide note to a friend that contained instructions on how to get into the home, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide can call or text 988, the nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish.