An autopsy released by the State Medical Examiner’s Office Sunday confirmed that 22-year-old Matthew Rairdon of Westbrook died of two gunshot wounds.

According to an update Monday from Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland, the medical examiner said Rairdon was shot in the head and chest and Rairdon’s assailant, Patrick Milliner, 30, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

According to McCausland’s initial news release Saturday, detectives said it appeared that Milliner shot Rairdon with a handgun inside Rairdon’s apartment and then shot himself. The shooting likely took place early Saturday morning, McCausland said, just after midnight, as Rairdon was returning home from work. A female roommate of Rairdon’s found the two bodies at about 11 a.m. Saturday. Police say the two men were former lovers whose relationship recently ended.

“State police continue to investigate the case and are at the criminal justice academy today interviewing corrections officers who were part of a class attended by Milliner,” the release states. “Investigators also will talk with Cabela’s, which is where Milliner purchased the gun on Friday.”

Rairdon was an emergency room nurse at Mercy Hospital and Milliner was a new correctional guard at the Maine Correctional Facility in Windham. He currently was attending the correctional guard training program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. A .40 caliber Glock handgun was found near Milliner’s body, McCausland said.

According to McCausland’s update Monday, investigators say both bodies were found inside the entryway to Rairdon’s apartment and it appears that Milliner, who was dressed in black winter clothing, likely ambushed Rairdon as he was opening the door to his apartment. “Investigators will continue to interview friends and family of both men throughout the week,” the release said.

Because of the men’s prior relationship, Reardon’s death will be classified as a domestic-violence homicide. According to McCausland, Rairdon’s death was the state’s 23rd homicide of the year and the 10th homicide that was domestic violence-related.

Rairdon’s father, Gary, was elected to the Westbrook City Council in November and is scheduled to be sworn in during Monday evening’s inaugeral ceremonies.


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