(Jeff Chiu, Associated Press file)

Pueblo authorities: Death of 2 men at medical pot grow was murder-suicide

Authorities in Pueblo County say a shooting Monday night that left two men dead at a 400-plant medical marijuana grow is believed to be a murder-suicide.

The county coroner’s office identified the men killed as Jeremie Klose, 32, of New Mexico, and Joseph Jensen, 42, of San Luis. Klose is believed to have fatally shot Jensen before turning a gun on himself.

“At this time no motive has been confirmed, however suspected substance abuse and mental illness could have played a role,” the county sheriff’s office said in a news release. “After numerous interviews with family members, it is believed the (Klose’s) mental state over the past few weeks reportedly deteriorated and investigators continue to work toward possible causes for this sad event.”

Investigators say they don’t know if the medical marijuana grow was a factor in the slayings.

Deputies found the two men dead Monday night at a home just north of the St. Charles reservoirs. Authorities were called out to the home on the 2700 block of Little Burnt Mill Road at about 6:30 p.m. on reports of a shooting.

“Both men are reported to have lived at the residence,” the release, issued Wednesday, said. “No charges will be filed in this case.”

Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul

This story was first published on DenverPost.com