Livermore woman, grandson identified in murder-suicide

(01-16) 18:04 PST LIVERMORE --

An elderly woman and her grandson found shot to death inside a Livermore home in what appeared to be a murder-suicide were identified today.

Frances Roberson, 96, and David Roberson, 51, were found by family members and friends who showed up at the home on Canterbury Avenue at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday, police said.

Both victims had been shot in the head, police said.

Family friends told police that the grandson suffered from mental illness and had a history of illegal drug use, Lt. Mike Peretti said. Investigators were trying to determine if these factors played a role in the deaths, Peretti said.

Neighbors said Frances Roberson's husband died in 1990 at the age of 78.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.