Authorities say a teacher in Washington state fatally shot a romantic partner — also an educator in the same district — before turning the gun on himself in a suspected murder-suicide this week.

According to Fox News, 37-year-old Dustin Altshuler and 35-year-old Laura Cole were found dead in their Kennewick home.

Police initially responded to the residence after a loved one requested a welfare check at the location, according to Kennewick Police Department Sgt. Aaron Clem.

“Officers went to the house,” he said. “All the doors were locked. They looked in the windows and couldn’t see anything. Nothing exigent that would allow our officers to breach the doorway and check on something. So they left.”

It was unclear from available reports whether the man and woman were married or just dating.

Altshuler had recently been arrested on suspicion of groping a female cab driver in an incident late last month.

He had been scheduled to appear in court the day after his body was found. Authorities believe he was intoxicated when he grabbed the alleged victim “by the neck and between the legs.”

The Pasco School District had already placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of that arrest.

Administrators sent out a statement to students and their families that counselors would be available on campus in the wake of the deaths.

KEPR spoke to one neighbor who described the couple as “very nice people but obviously troubled.”

[Featured images: Dustin Altshuler and Laura Cole, handouts]