BETHLEHEM — A call from family members to check on the welfare of a Selkirk couple, both 58, led Bethlehem Police to a grisly discovery on Tuesday afternoon: a murder-suicide.

Police forced entry into the home at 56 Chesterwood Drive soon after getting a 3:24 p.m. call. They found the body of Bhupinder S. Saran on the first floor, and the body of Sarbjit K. Saran on the second floor.

Police determined that Bhupinder S. Saran killed his wife and then himself, and noted the couple had a history of domestic violence.

No one else lived in the house and family members had been unable to contact the Sarans, Commander Adam Hornick said at a press briefing on Wednesday evening. 

Bethlehem Police obtained a search warrant for the house and two units of the New York State Police — the Troop G Major Crimes Unit and the Forensic Identification Unit — helped with the investigation. Bethlehem Police were also assisted by the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. 

“We commenced an intensive investigation that has literally continued for the last 24 hours around the clock,” said Hornick.

He said at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday that Chesterwood Drive would be reopened within the hour. The Sarans’ home, on a tidy suburban street with large houses and well-maintained yards, is a spacious two-story brick-fronted house with an attached two-car garage. Albany County tax rolls set its full-market value at $429,474.

“We want to extend our appreciation to the residents of that neighborhood who provided invaluable information, support during the last 24 hours while their lives were turned upside-down,” said Hornick.

The investigation included dozens of interviews and examination of physical evidence as well as testimonials, said Hornick.

Autopsies were completed on Wednesday at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, and the death of Sarbjit K. Saran was ruled a homicide while the death of Bhupinder S. Saran was ruled a suicide.

There was a current refrain-from order of protection against Bhupinder S. Saran, ordering him not to have any illegal contact with his wife, which was issued out of Albany County Family Court, Hornick said.

Hornick explained that a refrain-from order meant, “He cannot commit a crime, offense against her … It allows them to live together, reside together.”

Between 2016 and 2019, the Bethlehem Police had been to the Sarans’ home  “about half-a-dozen times for domestic-related incidents,” said Hornick. The last time was in early September, 2019.

“It’s unfortunate we have a victim of domestic violence … This is the ultimate act of domestic violence,” Hornick said of the murder.

He also said, “We try to make some good from a bad situation.” He stressed that services are available to help victims of domestic violence.

“We never want to blame or second-guess a victim …,” said Hornick. “We always just want people to know support is out there … Acts of domestic violence will not be tolerated.”

Hornick also said, “We’re not going to divulge the exact manner of death of both people other than to say it did not involve a firearm.”

The Sarans died “within the last few days,” Hornick said, although investigators are still working on finalizing a timeline to determine the time of death.

He also said, “We’re not going to speculate as to motive. We do have some good ideas.”

This is the first murder-suicide in the town of Bethlehem since the early 1980s, when there were two, Hornick said.

The Sarans have two adult children, Hornick reported. “They both live out of state. It took some time to contact them,” he said.

Hornick concluded, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family who have lost two people.”