Hudson, Florida -- Two Pasco County real estate agents were found dead after one shot the other, her live-in boyfriend, and then turned the gun on herself, leaving clients in shock.
Deputies say broker Rhonda Patterson shot and killed her live-in boyfriend and fellow realtor Robert Clark, then herself.
Investigators found the couple in the bedroom of Patterson's house on Clark Street on Monday night, which is also listed as her business, Waterfront and Preferred Homes.
Customers said they are stunned by the tragedy and are left wondering what's next.
"It's just terrible. I never saw anything like this coming," said one of Rhonda Patterson's clients, who wants to be identified only as Larry.
Larry, who had done business with Patterson for years, had been worried about his beloved broker when he didn't hear from her over the weekend. "She was supposed to call me about a property I was looking at, and she hadn't called which is very unusual," Larry said.
Deputies discovered Patterson and Clark on Sunday night, in her home attached to the business.
Investigators believe she shot and killed Clark, then herself. An autopsy will determine exactly when they died.
"She's a good person. I just can't picture her doing that something like that, just doesn't make any sense at all," Larry said.
A police report from last May reveals that it's not the first time Patterson pulled a gun on Clark.
Records show the two had been drinking and fighting. Patterson admitted to grabbing her 9 mm handgun and firing a shot into the ceiling out of anger.
The state attorney's office decided not to press charges against her.
Co-worker Christine Wilkins said that Clark was man, and Patterson knew it.
Client Robert Hall says from the outside the real estate agents seemed content. "They were both were happy," said Hall, who had just listed his property with the company in the past month. "My house selling or not selling versus their loss, their loss is so much greater."
The two other realtors who work for the company said they are waiting to see what will happen with the clients' listings. Patterson owned the company, so legally, the contracts will stand as part of her estate.
Real estate attorney David Carter said it will be up to Patterson's family if the business will continue. They will have have to hire a replacement broker to work with existing clients.
