GRAY – Maine State Police say a 40-year-old mother of two was fatally shot by her estranged boyfriend at his home in what they described as a murder-suicide.

Police said Jennifer Lessard was shot to death Monday by 48-year-old Albert “Sonny” Merrill Jr., who then shot and killed himself. Authorities said the two had recently ended a one-year relationship and Lessard had moved out of the house a few weeks ago.

Both died from a single gunshot wound to the head, according to Department of Public Safety officials.

Authorities said the bodies were found on a bed in a second floor bedroom by state police who entered the house Monday night to check on their well-being, and a handgun was found near Merrill’s body.

In a letter found in the kitchen, which police categorized as a suicide note, Merrill cited the breakup of the relationship.

Lessard was a pharmacist at Walgreens and had been staying with a friend in Raymond, along with her two preteen sons. Merrill was employed by Jeff Preble Concrete Inc. of Gray and had two grown daughters.

Detectives said Lessard drove to the house around 4 p.m. to meet Merrill, although it was not clear why, and the shootings took place a short time later.

According to state public safety officials, it was the 17th homicide in Maine this year and the 13th related to domestic violence.