An Irish woman has been shot dead in New York in what local media are reporting as a suspected murder-suicide.
The body of Denise Morgan, who was from Tullyallen in Co Louth, was found beside the body of a man in the early hours of yesterday morning in the Glendale area of Queens.
Both had sustained gunshot wounds.
The New York Police Department said it responded to a 911 call at around 2.44am yesterday morning following reports of "shots fired/persons shot".
Upon arrival, officers from the 104th precinct observed two people, one man and one woman, unconscious and unresponsive in the second floor living room of the residence.
Police say the two people had sustained gunshot wounds.
Emergency services attended the scene and pronounced the 39-year-old woman and 33-year-old man dead at the scene.
NYPD said that a firearm was recovered in the vicinity of the deceased man.
The investigations are ongoing.
Tributes have been paid to Ms Morgan, who was originally from the Louth village of Tullyallen.
In a post on Facebook, the Cottage Bar and Restaurant in New York said that the sudden loss of Denise Morgan had left them in "shock and sorrow".
"Her warmth, kindness, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her," the post said.
Today, prayers were said for Ms Morgan during mass in the Church of the Assumption in Tullyallen.
Parish Priest Fr Seán Dooley welcomed family and friends of Ms Morgan, who he said had died suddenly in America.
Fr Dooley offered prayers for comfort and consolation for her family and friends "as they go through the most horrible time in their lives".
In another online tribute, another family member described Ms Morgan as "the kindest most sweetest soul".
They said that "no words can express the pain" the family is dealing with.
"In the blink of an eye, our world has broken and we are absolutely crushed," the post said.
