Police: Man, 80, killed wife, son, then himself

In a murder-suicide that claimed three lives, an 80-year-old man fatally shot his wife and son in their southeast valley home and then turned the gun on himself, Las Vegas police said Thursday.

Police discovered the bodies Wednesday evening at 4775 Canna Drive, near Tropicana Avenue and Boulder Highway.

The Clark County coroner's office identified the deceased as Paul Okin, 80, Genevieve Okin, 75, and Marque Okin, 46. The coroner said all three died from gunshot wounds to the head.

Homicide Lt. Lew Roberts said friends and family told police that Paul Okin was distraught because his wife had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

He said detectives were still trying to piece together why Paul Okin also shot his son.

"He couldn't stomach to live without his wife," Roberts said. "It's clear to us that the mother and father had a pact to die. It's not clear if the son was involved in the pact."

Police were called to the home by someone who had been trying to reach the Okins at their home.

The first officer on scene smelled gas and then turned off the gas and electricity to the home.

The Clark County Fire Department was called to clear the gas. The natural gas stove had been left on for up to 24 hours before the bodies were found, police said.

Las Vegas police have investigated seven murder-suicides this year, including six since September.

Roberts said that although most occurred last month, the number of murder-suicides so far this year is just two higher than the number for the same period last year.

Relatives of the family could not be reached Thursday, but a 2002 article published in the Las Vegas Mercury shed some light on who Paul Okin was.

At the age of 72, Okin finished first in the senior category of the nationwide Laugh Across America Contest held in Las Vegas.

The article in the alternative newspaper, which has ceased publication, described Okin's comedic style as a blend of speedy one-liners and monologues.

Although Okin had professional aspirations, the article said, his comedic career never took off because he was not willing to devote much time to touring and working gigs.

The article said Okin was raised in New Jersey and had two sons.

He worked as a professional hairdresser and then as a postal worker when he lived in California.

Okin was quoted as saying he really enjoyed comedy and got a thrill from winning the 2002 contest.

"I think this is just a great rush," he told the Mercury. "You see, comics are not well. The whole world looks different to the comedic mind. I think of things all the time."

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.