Port St. Lucie man, 78, accused of shooting wife, 21, then killing self

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Port St. Lucie Police Department is investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving a husband and wife. Investigators said that a 78-year old male shot and killed his 21-year old wife early Saturday morning. Soon after, they said, he turned the gun on himself.

By Saturday afternoon, the bodies of the deceased had been removed from the home on Southwest Kamchatka Avenue. Police said the male shot his wife in the head then tried to set the home on fire before shooting himself in the mouth.

Investigators responded to the home after 1 a.m. after receiving a call from the male homeowner. Property records and friends identify the male as Geunther Floerchinger. Police said the male involved claimed to have killed his wife and was threatening to shoot himself. Friends identified the female as Carhina Floerchinger.

When police arrived, officers noticed the front door of the home was open and, they said, by that time the man was already dead. The body of the female was discovered in the back bedroom. Police said the male doused part of the home in gasoline, set the home on fire, then shot himself.

Those who knew both of the Floerchingers returned to the scene Saturday afternoon. "Real nice, real good person. Had a chance to have a family come to the country. Had a chance to get ahead and my understanding is he had plans to help her get ahead," said Mel Armstrong about the couple.

Friends say Carhina Floerchinger has a four-year-old daughter who was inside the home at the time. They said Mr. Floerchinger called a neighbor to come and retrieve the girl. Soon after, neighbors saw smoke billowing from the home.

The couple had lived in the home for about a year, according to friends. The pair reportedly met online while Cahrina Floerchinger was still living in her native Phillippines. Friends said the woman came to the United States with her daughter to marry and to find a better life. The young girl, friends said, was unharmed and is staying with family friends.