Erwin Emerson Drake, 93, was shot to death while seated on the couch in his Wild Winds Street home in Florence, Oregon, on February 12, 2017. A retired Boeing engineer, Mr. Drake died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

His ex-wife, Carolyn Stickley, contacted authorities by 911 immediately after the shooting. She initially told police the shooting occurred during a struggle in which Drake had threatened her with a handgun and she acted in self-defense. Stickley later said the killing was an attempted mercy killing, citing Drake’s dementia and saying she had just snapped. She was arrested and charged in connection with his death and ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter.

Anyone who knew Erwin Drake or who has information about his final days or the relationship between Drake and Carolyn Stickley is asked to come forward.