Two lifeless bodies were found on Sunday afternoon in a home in the small village of Vincelles, in Burgundy Bresse.
The couple died from gunshot wounds.
The Chalon-sur-Saône public prosecutor's office is considering the possibility of feminicide followed by suicide.
An investigation into intentional homicide has been opened.
The man, a septuagenarian, allegedly killed his fifty-year-old wife using a hunting rifle, before turning the weapon against himself, according to a source close to the case.
A flagrant investigation into intentional homicide was opened and entrusted to the Louhans gendarmerie (Saône-et-Loire), according to the prosecution, which specifies that it is “considering” the theory of a dispute following a separation.
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A feminicide occurs on average every three days in France.
In 2022, 118 women were killed by their spouse or ex-spouse, according to a report from the Ministry of the Interior.