Police continue death investigation . . .

A memorial service for former Phoenix radio personality Bill Heywood, 75, and wife Susan, 70. has been planned for Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Arizona  Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. It will be held in the resort's Grand Ballroom. 

Friends and family are mourning the deaths of the couple who were tragically found dead from gunshot wounds in a Scottsdale room at the Homewood Suites on Scottsdale and Mountain View Rds.  Police discovered the couples' bodies after hotel employees found a suicide type note on the hotel's bedroom door. 

Susan had been struggling with recent medical issues and the couple had been dealing with financial problems, which included their filing for bankruptcy two years ago. However, the news of their death is still shocking to even the closest of acquaintances.  Some close friends are speculating that the couple, married for 35 years, may have had a suicide pact. 

Bill, who worked for several radio stations in Phoenix starting in the 1960's, (Susan was his agent) worked most recently in real estate as a sales associate for Cambridge Properties.  Scottsdale Police are currently calling this a death investigation and don’t believe anyone else was involved in the deaths other than the Heywoods. Police say there were two handguns found at the scene and both had gunshot wounds to the head. Later that day investigators discovered other documents  in the Heywood's Phoenix condo, including written instructions regarding their funeral. 

This picture of Bill Heywood was taken just three months prior - when he posed with longtime friends and broadcasting peers Charlie Van Dyke  and Gary Edens. Gary's wife, Suellen Edens captured the photo on Gary's cell phone, at the annual Hall of Fame luncheon hosted by the  Arizona Broadcasters Association.

The Heywoods are survived by their daughter Nicole Heywood Cooper, and Bill's children, Christopher Charles Heywood, Kelly Embry Woppershawl and Stan Embry. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for The Heywood Memorial Fund to benefit animal charities through Spirit and Word Ministries, Inc. at the website spirtandword.org

reported by Kathy Shayna Shocket. Kathy is reporter and photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it