A suspected murder-suicide was discovered by neighbors at a home in the 1000 block of Gladiola Place Monday morning in a northeastern Manteca neighborhood three blocks north of Joshua Cowell School.

Residents living next door in the upscale neighborhood were curious about the welfare of the couple at about 10 a.m. when they went to the curb to bring in their recycling and garbage Toters.   

Seeing the neighbor’s pickup truck parked in his driveway at a time when he was usually at work prompted their concern.  They reportedly investigated to make sure everything was all right.

Manteca Police said family members had not seen the couple since Saturday afternoon at their home located just south of Louise Avenue and east of Pestana Avenue in the Meadowlands subdivision.

The man entered the home to find the body of his neighbor in his 40s lying in the foyer of the home that the bank had approved for a short sale at an asking price of $305,000. A short sale takes place when the buyer in default is trying to avoid foreclosure.

Police found the body of a woman nearby and located a firearm near the two bodies.  Two small poodles were found in the back yard and taken into protective custody by a Manteca animal control officer.

This was the only murder in Manteca so far this year matching the total for 2007.

A boy’s bicycle was seen in the open garage but neighbors offered that a boy didn’t live at the residence but only made occasional visits.  

Simplified Realty Home listed the 2,647-square foot 3-bedroom for sale in September for $305,000.      

The San Joaquin County Coroner’s office was still conducting its investigation into the shootings at 6 p.m. last night, police said.