HALL COUNTY -- Authorities said Tuesday they believe former Hall County commission candidate Troy Phillips, 45, fatally shot his wife, Heather Phillips, 42, last week before killing himself.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that both died as the result of a single gunshot wound.

Deputies responded around 9:30 a.m. July 28 to a Third Street residence inside Chicopee Village, where the two were found dead of gunshot wounds.

Troy Phillips worked as a dispatcher for Choice Facility Services and Construction as of his February announcement that he was running for a seat on the commission.

He graduated from Johnson High School in 1988 and is also a graduate of Colorado Technical University with a master’s degree in criminal justice management. Phillips served in the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His wife also graduated from Johnson High School, according to her Facebook page.

Troy Phillips lost to incumbent Jeff Stowe in the Republican primary in May for the District 4 seat on the commission.