Double-Homicide Suspect Attempts Suicide in Oklahoma

Matthew Long of Pikesville ran to Oklahoma, but he may not have been able to escape what police say he did in a Sudbrook Park home.

Long, 31, who is, so far, the sole suspect in his grandparents' double-homicide investigation, arrived in Oklahoma on Sept. 9, the day after, police believe, his grandparents died from blunt-and sharp-trauma injuries in their Olmstead Road home.

Baltimore County police found the bodies of Vaughn and Marjorie Pepper, ages 87 and 85, respectively, on the afternoon of Sept. 10.

A day later, Weatherford, OK police found Long unresponsive in the Travel Inn, "an apparent attempted suicide on his part," said Capt. Todd Doyals of the Weatherford Police Department.

"He did leave a note that said 'I'm so sorry for everything. Please forgive me,'" Doyals said.

Long had arrived Sept. 9 in Weatherford, Oklahoma County, located north of Oklahoma City, while driving Vaughn and Marjorie Pepper's 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis, Doyals said.

He paid for two days stay at the motel. But, when he didn't check out on time, a motel employee went over to check on him, Doyals said.

No one responded to knocks on his door, so the employee went in.

"He opened the door and, initially, thought (Long) was dead," Doyals said.

The employee called police who found that Long was still alive. They "called for medical attention," and Long was taken to a Weatherford Hospital, Doyals said.

Later he was taken to Integris Baptist Medical Facility in Oklahoma City, until he regained consciousness, Doyals said.

Doyals said Long had tried to commit suicide in that Oklahoma motel. "He had ingested several prescription medications," noting that he does not know what kind of medications.

"Through an investigation, we found out he was wanted in Maryland in connection with the homicide of his grandparents," Doyals said. Shortly afterward, detectives from the Baltimore County Police Department came to Weatherford to investigate.

Once Long regained consciousness, Oklahoma City Police arrested him on a  Baltimore County warrant, Doyals said.

"And he did drive the vehicle belonging to his grandparents out here—a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis," he said. "It is sitting in the parking lot of the police department."

Long is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and has cooperated in their investigation. Extradition has not yet begun, according to a statement Wednesday from Baltimore County police,

Doyals said he hasn't heard from any of Long's family members.

Vaughn and Marjorie Peppers' funeral was held Friday in Dorchester County.

Baltimore County police said they died from blunt- and sharp-force trauma by two 20-pound dumbbells and a knife.

So far, they found the dumbbells, but not the knife, according to a release Wednesday.

In front of the Peppers' home, neighbor set up a handmade cross with fresh flowers. "Remembering Our Neighbors," is painted in green across the whitewashed cross set in a hollowed stump.

The Peppers had been residents of Sudbrook Park since 1965, according to their obituaries.

Nancy Wilhelm-Hynes said she's lived in the house that's two doors down from the Peppers since she was born.

She said the Peppers were a "very friendly" couple, and "not reclusive," as other neighbors who are newer to the community have said.

"They were older people," though, so they stayed inside more in later years, she explained.

"Through the years they were always friendly," to her and her father, Wilhelm-Hines said.

She said the Peppers' daughter, Long's mother, had a very long battle with cancer. "She would always stay home with her parents for her chemo treatments," she said.

Long's mother passed away some years ago, and his father—her husband—died one year after she did, Wilhelm-Hines said.

"That's when the two sons (including Long) came to live with the Peppers," she said. Long stayed with the Peppers, and had been living there for a number of years—somewhere between 5-10 years.

Wilhelm-Hines said she wasn't certain, but she believes the anniversary of Long's mother's death passed recently.

The Peppers were members of St. Charles Borromeo Church of Pikesville.

A deacon had been visiting, according to the church.

But another neighbor had been going over weekly to give the couple communion, Wilhelm-Hines said.

Read more on the Sudbrook Park double-homicide investigation:

• UPDATE: 2 Found Dead in Pikesville Home
• UPDATE: Police Identify Pikesville Couple Found Dead
• UPDATE: Police Identify Grandson of Couple Found Dead Monday
• Police: Homicide Victims' Grandson Not a Suspect
• Police: Grandson Suspected in Double Homicide, Found in Oklahoma
• 'A Very Affable Couple:' Deacon's Last Visit before Tragedy
• Homicide Victims' Funeral, Burial Services Set for Friday
• PHOTOS OF THE DAY: 'Remembering Our Neighbors'
• Police in Oklahoma: Pikesville Couple's Grandson Found 'Unresponsive'
• Police: Dumbbells, Knife Used to Kill Elderly Couple