The deaths of two Franklin residents whose badly decomposed bodies were found in a submerged Chevrolet Blazer in Barren River Lake in October apparently were the results of a murder-suicide, investigators said today. A final autopsy report indicated that Lisa Diane Shelton, 34, of Franklin died from asphyxia because of strangulation; her death was ruled a homicide, Barren County Coroner Mike Swift said. Investigators ruled that Stephen Carter Hooks, 45, of Franklin committed suicide by drowning. Todays announcement provided some answers about the pairs disappearances, which stunned residents of the small Franklin subdivision where both lived and students at the schools where both worked. Police reasonably conclude that Hooks murdered Shelton and then took his own life, Bowling Green police Detective David Bragg said. It appears that Stephen Hooks may have purposefully driven his vehicle into Barren River Lake off the Austin Tracy Boat Ramp, Kentucky State Police Detective Tommy Smith said. Hooks body was found in the drivers seat of the Blazer; a window was partially open. Sheltons body was found in the vehicles rear floorboard. The location of the bodies in the Blazer, their causes of death and Hooks knowledge of the area around Barren River Lake led investigators to their conclusions, they said. A fisherman found the submerged Blazer on Oct. 26, culminating a search for the two that began after both were reported missing Sept. 12 after failing to return home from separate trips to Bowling Green on Sept. 11.Both Hooks and Shelton were seen at Greenwood Executive Inn on Sept. 11. Hours later, Sheltons Toyota Camry was found abandoned in a restaurant parking lot on Scottsville Road. State police said Hooks was romantically involved with Shelton during the past two years and most likely damaged Sheltons car, cracking its windshield and denting the cars exterior. Investigators have not figured out where or when Shelton was strangled, but phone records indicate she made what is thought to be her last phone call at 12:11 a.m. Sept. 12, Smith said. State police met with the spouses and families of the two earlier this week to share their theory of events, state police Trooper Nick Stephens said. The case remains open, but at an impasse; there are no other suspects in the deaths, Smith said. The bodies advanced decomposition may have tampered with precise toxicology results, but an autopsy found Shelton had alcohol and several prescription pills in her system, Swift said. Hooks autopsy showed no presence of alcohol or drugs, but those results may not be accurate, Swift added. Shelton worked as a tutor at Learning Opportunities Center, an alternative school in Franklin and was cheerleading sponsor at Franklin-Simpson High School. Her husband, Greg, also is an educator in Franklin. The couple have two children, an 8-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. Hooks was in his third year as one of two assistant principals at Greenwood High School and previously taught science and coached football at Franklin-Simpson High School. Hooks and his wife, Gayle, have two sons, ages 19 and 6.