Police say tests confirm man killed woman, himself

Forensic tests confirmed that a Silver Spring man shot and killed a Highland woman and then shot himself in the back of the head, Howard County police said yesterday.

Police said the weapon, a 9 mm pistol, was owned by Robert Warren Harris, 44, and gunshot residue was found on his hands. Police suspected a murder-suicide when they found the bodies of Harris and a former girlfriend, Ellie Kasten, 37, in her bedroom July 17.

Investigators initially were cautious about drawing conclusions because Harris shot himself in the back of the head, which is unusual, police said.

Kasten, who was shot in the face and head, was killed about 1: 30 a.m. July 17. Their bodies were discovered by friends and neighbors.

Pub Date: 7/24/98