BALL GROUND — The deaths of three family members whose bodies were found in their Ball Ground home after a fire are now being ruled a murder-suicide, Cherokee County law enforcement officers said Friday.

The determination comes from a report by the medical examiner at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory released Friday.

Investigators concluded that Ricky Norrell, 49, shot his wife, 46-year-old Darlene Norrell and 19-year-old daughter, Lindsey Norrell, in their home off Spriggs Trail in north Cherokee County before taking his own life, Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said.

“Both (women) had gunshot wounds to the head,” Baker said. “Ricky’s cause of death has been listed as a

suicide.”

Just over a week ago, an early morning fire

gutted the home. At the time, neighbors reported hearing an explosion before the home went down in the blaze.

Baker said that although Ricky Norrell’s body was mostly consumed in the fire, investigators discovered the remains of a .22 caliber rifle near his body.

“The medical examiner’s findings were consistent with Ricky Norrell dying from a head wound believed to be a gunshot wound,” Baker said.

Baker said the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire continues.

“At this point, we will be making no further comment on this matter,” Baker said.

Baker also said the family of the victims asked the news media to not contact them.

Funeral services for the three victims are planned today at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church on Highway 369 in Canton.