Bernie Madoff’s sister and her husband found dead in apparent murder-suicide

The sister of the Wall Street fraudster Bernie Madoff and her husband were found dead in Florida in what investigators said was an apparent murder-suicide.

The Palm Beach county sheriff's office on Sunday identified the couple as 87-year-old Sondra Wiener of Boynton Beach and her 90-year-old husband, Marvin Wiener.

They were found unresponsive with gunshot wounds on Thursday afternoon, inside their residence.

"Detectives from the violent crimes division arrived on scene to investigate further," the sheriff's office said. "After further investigation it appears to be a murder-suicide."

Officials said causes of death would be determined by the medical examiner's office.

A woman who identified herself as the wife of the couple's son, David Wiener, asked for privacy "at this time of grief".

Contacted by phone, she said: "We are not making any comment at this time."

Madoff was known for orchestrating a massive Ponzi scheme that wiped out people's fortunes and ruined charities.

After pleading guilty in 2009 to fraud and other charges, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison. He died last year, at 82 and while incarcerated.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. The charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393

In the US, Mental Health America is available on 800-273-8255. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 and you can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counsellor.

Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org