CATHEDRAL CITY - Three people whose bodies were found today in a Cathedral City residence died in a murder-suicide, police said.

A mother and an adult daughter were found shot to death in bed in one of the bedrooms and the mother's live-in boyfriend was found dead in bed in another bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Cathedral City police Lt. Chuck Robinson said.

"A handgun was recovered at the scene, as well as an apparent written confession by the suspect," Robinson said.

The names of the deceased are being withheld until next of kin are notified, Robinson said.

Police were sent to the residence in the 69600 block of Northampton Avenue when a Advertisement

[ Metalography ] family member called them between 11:30 a.m. and noon. The responding officer found the three bodies in the house and went outside and called for backup, Robinson said.

"While this investigation is still underway, preliminary motive for this incident appears to be a result of a financial conflict, resulting from the mother's recently diagnosed terminal illness, and her end of life arrangements," Robinson said.

"The mother's adult daughter was visiting from Florida to assist with putting her mother's affairs in order, and it appears there was some conflict with her common law husband over how her assets were to be divided. This is an extremely sad, senseless and tragic event for the entire family involved."