RANGELY, Colo. -- A Colorado man who shot his wife to death and then killed himself had just learned that their adult son faces child sex abuse charges, deputies said.

News of Carlos Graham Jr.'s arrest came just before Carlos "Charlie" Graham Sr. killed his wife and then himself earlier this week Rangely-area home. The couple's bodies were found on Tuesday and on Thursday, Rio Blaco County Undersheriff Michael Joos confirmed the deaths as a murder-suicide.

According to the sheriff's office, Graham Sr., 68, killed Lucille Graham, 64, with a 12-gauge shotgun while she was sleeping in their bed. He then sat down in the bed and shot himself. Both had shotgun head wounds, according to autopsies. Their deaths were ruled a murder-suicide.

Although no suicide note was found, the shotgun was found with Graham's body.

Lucille Graham was in failing health and a neighbor said she was suffering from emphysema.

Joos said there was no clear motive in the deaths, but Graham was made aware of his son's arrest shortly before the shooting. Investigators said the couple had been on the phone with family members discussing the arrest as late as 9 p.m. Monday, the Grand Junction Sentinel reported.

Vernal, Utah, police said in a news release Thursday that Carlos Graham Jr., 44, of Vernal, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and rape of a female child. The investigation began on Sept. 9 and police said the alleged assaults occurred over several years. Graham Jr. faces six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and one count of rape of a child.

Graham Jr. is being held in the Uintah County Jail on a $175,000 bond.

Rangely is 330 miles west of Denver.