Three shot dead in sleepy Swiss town ‘after private row’

The bodies were discovered in Valais, a Swiss canton known for its wines.

The bodies of three people have been discovered at two separate locations in the Swiss canton of Valais. 

Gunshots blasted from a flat on Ruelle Centrale, in the village of Vetroz, at 7am on Sunday morning.

Police launched a ‘major operation’ after a man and and a woman were found dead at the property. 

Following leads from the property, police were led to the home of a suspect in the shooting.

Local media indicated the alleged attacker was a man in his 50s, and was legally in possession of the weapon that ended his life. 

At that location, the body of a third person was also found, who is understood to have died from a gunshot wound.

Police have said they believe the incident could have taken place as the result of a ‘private dispute.’

A full investigation is currently underway by the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office in collaboration with the Valais Cantonal police. 

Though the victims have yet to be formally identified, local outlet Tio reports that the two bodies discovered at the property were the alleged killer’s wife and her new partner. 

The suspect and the female victim were understood to be going through a divorce after 20 years of marriage. 

Olivier Cottagnoud, mayor of Vetroz, has been quoted as saying: ‘[This] is a tragedy that affects the entire town. 

‘I knew the people who were killed; the woman who was killed worked for the town.’

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