LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. -- A mixed martial arts fighter and his wife were found shot to death in a Laguna Niguel condominium in what authorities said was an apparent murder-suicide.

The bodies of Justin Levens, 28, and his wife, Sarah McLean-Levens, 25, were found in their bed Wednesday afternoon, Orange County sheriff's officials said. Levens competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other organizations. His fighting nicknamed was "The Executioner."

Sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said the couple was found by the woman's mother, who called 911. The mother had gone to investigate after not hearing from her daughter for five days.

TMZ.com quoted sources who said police are investigating the deaths as a possible murder/suicide.

No suicide note was found, but investigators recovered a handgun at the scene.

Autopsies were being conducted Thursday.

The Orange County Register reported that the couple were scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

Levens was under suspension from mixed martial arts fighting after he was accused of misusing oxymorphone, a painkiller given by injection.