Photo by Kim North Martins Ferry police Sgt. John McFarland, center, investigates an apparent murder-suicide on North Ninth Street.

MARTINS FERRY — City police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide. Gunshots were heard in the area of North Ninth Street and reported to police about 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Early reports indicated a man had killed a woman then turned the gun on himself. City officials later indicated Randy R. Shrodes, 55, and his wife, Amy J. Shrodes, 49, both of North Ninth Street, were dead. Randy Shrodes was the son of the late Lloyd “Bud” Shrodes, a longtime police chief and former two-term mayor of Martins Ferry. Lloyd Shrodes died in August after a lengthy illness. Randy Shrodes also was the nephew of Councilman Bruce Shrodes. A council meeting was canceled Thursday.