Susan Moulder

Susan Moulder

Carmel police puzzled over apparent murder-suicide

October 7, 2007

Carmel - Police are puzzled by an apparent murder-suicide involving a couple who were about to get married. There were no signs of violence or any other warnings to indicate trouble with the relationship.

A graduate of Purdue University and Carmel High School, 29-year-old Susan Moulder lived to travel and loved music. She posted her interests on her MySpace and Facebook pages. There are also messages on those pages of congratulations for her recent engagement, as well as pictures of Moulder and her fiance, 36-year-old Jason Broadwater.

The two lived together in a Carmel home for the past three months. They died there together. Police found their bodies Friday. Investigators say it was Broadwater who pulled the trigger in an apparent murder-suicide.

The case comes as a surprise to police, who say they've never been called to the home before for domestic problems. Police say the two attended neighborhood functions and were well liked.

Broadwater was a nuclear technician for the Care Group at the Heart Center. His family declined to talk, but wrote in his obituary that he "cherished patient care."

Moulder offered no indication of problems or second thoughts on her MySpace site, only excitement over their impending nuptials. Her last entry, dated October 2, three days before her death, simply states, "Engaged!"

Police say they found two guns in the home, including one located next to Broadwater.

Toxicology tests will be conducted, but investigators may never know why the lives of a couple with such a promising future came to such a tragic end.