Maryland State Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in Allegany County. The deceased have been identified as 46 year old Mary B. Preston, 46, and 39 year old George D. Whetstone both of Corriganville, Md. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. At about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Maryland State Police at the Cumberland Barrack were contacted by a member of the Frostburg City Police Department who requested they check the welfare of George Whetstone, a city employee who had not reported for work. His absence was very unusual and co-workers who had gone to his home twice that day had received no response, even though vehicles belonging to Whetstone and his girlfriend, Mary Preston, who lived with him, were at the residence. State troopers responded to the home and also received no response. Using a landlord’s key, troopers entered the home and located both persons deceased in an upstairs bedroom. Investigators from the Cumberland C3I Unit, the State Police Homicide Unit and Forensic Sciences Division, and the Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office responded to the scene. Relatives of both deceased persons also came to the scene and were interviewed by investigators. Both individuals were lying on a bed and each had sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. A pistol was found between Whetstone and Preston. Initial processing at the scene and a review of evidence indicates Whetstone shot Preston and then turned the gun on himself. Both bodies have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore where autopsies will be conducted to confirm the cause and manner of their deaths. State Police homicide investigators continue to investigate a motive. Preliminary information indicates domestic issues may have been involved.
