ORANGE, Calif. - The 68-year-old father of former NASCAR racer Robby Gordon apparently took his own life after strangling his 57-year-old wife in their home in Orange, according to autopsy results.
Sharon Gordon was strangled and her husband death was "consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Orange police Lt. Fred Lopez said.
Police were investigating it as a possible murder-suicide, Lopez said.
Robert Gordon was Robby Gordon's father and Sharon Gordon his stepmother.
The bodies were discovered about 5 p.m. Wednesday in the 1400 block of North Kennymead Street, Lopez said, adding that there no outstanding suspects.
"We're fairly confident the problem is contained within the house," he said.
A weapon was discovered inside the residence, but Lopez did not immediately disclose what it was.
Robby Gordon spoke to reporters outside the home this morning, saying the family was obviously "grieving the death of my dad, Rob, and his wife, Sharon."
"I'm sad and I can't believe it," Gordon said.
"I want to thank all of our friends in the racing community, not only the auto racing community but the horse racing community, and their incredible outpouring of support and prayers," he said. "I'd like everybody to understand this is very, very tough, and it's not only tough for me, but it's tough for my sisters ... it's going to be tough on all of us."
Gordon said his planned Robby Gordon Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks racing event will go on this weekend as part of the Sand Sports Super Show at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. was among those offering condolences, writing on his Twitter account he is praying for "the Gordon family during this difficult time. Hope they find strength and support."
Anyone with information on the deaths is urged to call the Orange Police Department at (714) 744-7444.
