The Council Bluffs Police Department reports a Plattesmouth, NE woman and her son whose bodies were found near Lake Manawa died as the result of an apparent murder/suicide. 41-year old Charlotte Schilling and her 10-year old son Owen Schilling disappeared May 10^th, after the woman checked her son out of the elementary school he was attending. 

The woman’s car was found about one-half mile from where the bodies of her and her son were found May 20^th..  Inside the vehicle, was Charlotte Schilling’s cell phone and purse. The bodies were found deep in the woods at Lake Manawa State Park. Authorities say Charlotte and Owen Schilling died by ligature/strangulation, by use of a zip tie. 

An official autopsy report however, is expected to take several weeks. Authorities say Charlotte Schilling attempted suicide by a similar method in November, 2011. Interviews with her friends and associates revealed recent actions consistent with those of a person contemplating suicide, and officials say evidence at the scene supports that theory.