A man who feared that he and the woman he lived with had contracted the coronavirus shot her in the back of the head before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life, police said.

Will County deputies conducting a welfare check at the couple's home on on Bruce Road near Volz Avenue in Lockport Township about 8 p.m. Thursday discovered the bodies of Patrick Jesernik, 54, and Cheryl Schriefer, 59, according to a statement released by the sheriff's office Saturday.

Jesernik and Schriefer were found dead in separate rooms of the residence, the statement said.

"All of the doors and windows of the residence were locked from the inside," according to the sheriff's office. "Police and fire personnel forced entry into the residence."

The deputies then located the bodies, police said.

"Both individuals had a pooling of blood formed around their heads," according to the sheriff's office.

"A loaded revolver, containing two spent shell casings and three live rounds were located near Patrick’s body," police said. "There were no signs of a struggle, and the home was neat and orderly."

The person who had requested the welfare check "advised deputies on scene that he was contacted by the parents of Patrick Jesernik, who asked him to check on their son because they had not heard from him," police said.

"Family arrived on scene and stated that Patrick had been scared that he and Cheryl had contracted the COVID-19 virus, and that Cheryl was tested two days ago," according to the sheriff's office. "It was reported that Cheryl was having a hard time breathing. The family stated that to their knowledge, she had not received the test result."

Autopsies conducted Friday showed both Jesernik and Schriefer died from single gunshot wounds to their heads, police said.

"Cheryl Schriefer was shot in the back of the head at close range, and her death is ruled as a homicide," according to the sheriff's office.

"Patrick died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his death is ruled as a suicide," police said. "Both Cheryl and Patrick tested negative for the COVID-19 virus."

The Will County Coroner's Office had released no information on the Thursday night deaths as of Saturday afternoon.

The sheriff's office reported there were "no previous calls for service in regards to domestic disputes" at the Bruce Road residence where Jesernik and Schriefer lived.

"A check of both deceased individuals was also conducted which showed very limited police contact," according to the sheriff's office..