Mounties are recommending murder charges against an elderly man accused of shooting his wife to death in their Saanich home.

Rosa Des Roches was found fatally shot at her Cameo Street home Tuesday morning, and police arrested her husband, 71-year-old Joseph Melvin Des Roches, at the scene.

Officers also discovered the family dog had been shot and killed.

Neighbours said the couple had lived in the home for many years and there had never been any cause for concern before.

The couple was said to have adult children who don’t live with them.

Melvin Des Roches is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and also worked as a Comissionaire.