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A coworker and friend said Regina Johnson spent more than 15 years working at a local financial company. Some are wondering if losing that job may have contributed to the tragic circumstances that have left the people who know her in shock.

"She was always happy," said Randy Rodriguez, a registered investment adviser and coworker. "For something like this to happen [and] for her to do something like this is completely 180 out of character for her."

Johnson, 55, was someone Rodriguez considered a close friend for the more than two years they worked together at Western Financial Planning. Rodriguez said when the bad economy forced layoffs and it appeared Johnson would be next, he noticed a major change.

"There was a depression and that all she seemed to be worried about and she wasn't that same person anymore, she completely became someone else," said Rodriguez.

Johnson was let go from her administrative position about six months ago. Last week, police found her at the family's condo in San Carlos with her husband shot in the head and torso and her 14-year-old daughter also shot in the head.

She is accused of killing them and then staying with the bodies for several days.

"I thought I knew her very well but obviously there was something else going on," said Rodriguez.

He says Johnson spoke lovingly of her husband – a retired Navy man – and proudly of her daughter.

"How smart she was, how beautiful she was [and] how much fun they had together," said Rodriguez.

He said she never let on about they were having financial problems. Documents show the family had filed for bankruptcy.

Rodriguez said Johnson took medication for some kind of health issue. He said she mentioned it the last time they spoke, which was about a month ago.

"She did mention that the medications that were bothering [her] were changing… she actually sounded really well and better," he said.

Rodriguez said she was making plans, saying she was looking at going back to school and spending more time with her family.

Johnson will be arraigned Wednesday on two counts of murder.