Victims of home law office murder-suicide identified

The names of a 64-year-old woman shot and killed at an Oregon law office, as well as the boyfriend who shot her before taking his own life, were released late Friday.

Elizabeth Singler, of Madison, died of “homicidal firearm violence,” according to the Dane County medical examiner. Henry Pullett Jr., 68, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Dane County sheriff’s deputies said Pullett was a client and friend of attorneys Michael and Norma Briggs, who ran a law office out of their home. The Briggses, who were not injured, told investigators that Singler and Pullett arrived unexpectedly at their office and were arguing before Pullett pulled out a gun, shot Singer and then himself.

Court records show that Michael Briggs represented Pullett in a divorce case three years ago. However, sheriff’s spokeswoman Elise Schaffer said the Briggses were no longer practicing law, and that Pullett and Singler’s visit to the office was most likely a combination of legal and personal matters.

It was not immediately clear what those legal matters were. Court and State Bar records show that Michael and Norma Briggs are suspended from practicing law, and that Michael Briggs is being investigated by the Office of Lawyer Regulation for possible misconduct.

The Associated Press also contributed to this report.