An 81-year-old resident of a Hilton Head Island care facility died after a shooting on the morning of September 12, 2025. Dennis Recker had been admitted to the Preston Health Center the day before for medical care. Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office say they responded at about 10:30 a.m. and found Recker with a gunshot wound to the chest; he was pronounced dead at 11:26 a.m.

An 82-year-old woman identified as his wife of 25 years, Harriett Kay Recker, was in the room holding a revolver and was taken into custody at the scene. A staff member who had briefly left the room returned after hearing a loud noise and reportedly heard Dennis say that she had shot him. Investigators say they found handwritten notes, one in Harriett’s purse and a matching copy at the couple’s home, in which she described feeling overwhelmed and referred to a mercy killing.

What can readers who knew the Reckers or saw anything at the Preston Health Center on September 12 share with the discussion?