Autopsies released in deaths of West Deptford couple

West Deptford, NJ (WTXF) Autopsies released today by the Gloucester County Medical Examiner have concluded that the cause of death for a West Deptford couple was blunt head trauma.

Officials also determined that the manner of death of 58-year-old Edward M. Coles Jr. and 55-year-old Rosemarie P. Coles was homicide.

Authorities say a 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of his parents.

Lauralee Houghton looks at the well-worn chair in the repair shop of Coles Music Center. It's where her second cousin, 58-year-old Edward Coles sat just yesterday, working to fix musical instruments as he'd done for the past 40 years.

"Yesterday, was just a normal day. He came in to work and everything seemed normal. Nothing was out of the ordinary," she told FOX 29.

Investigators say when Edward and his wife, 55-year-old Rosemarie, couldn't be reached by phone yesterday, a family member stopped by late this morning. Police say both were found dead inside the home. Their 28-year-old son, Ryan Coles, was inside, and is now accused of killing them, according to investigators.

Neighbors say police have been called to the home before.

Ryan, the son, was arrested and taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Edward used to own Coles Music Service before selling it to Lauralee. But he still worked full-time here and loved to talk music with kids and fix their broken instruments.

"He has touched so many lives with his gift. He was kind of known to be able to fix the problems that no one could fix," Lauralee explained.

Ryan, their son, also used to work at the music shop, and was fired. Lauralee would only say it didn't work out. Tonight , he's in custody. Bail has been set at 1 million dollars.